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Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD

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Specializes in: Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery)

1521 East 3900 South Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84124

(801) 268-3800

Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD is a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. He graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD is affiliated with St. Mark's Hospital and MountainStar Healthcare.

Office Locations

1521 East 3900 South Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84124

(801) 268-3800

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Some issues Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD can help you with:

Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.

By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.

Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.

Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	51

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2013 were minimally invasive procedures, abdominal surgery and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery	12
doctor visit	122
gastrointestinal procedures	12
minimally invasive procedures	12

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	75

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	121
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	45
85 and over	18
Less than 65	21

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2013

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2014 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	53
emergency care	17

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	55
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	97
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	45
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	16
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2014

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	25
Dementia	12
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2015 were emergency care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	60
emergency care	14

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	108

**Age**
From 65 to 74	94
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	30
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2015

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	36
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	29
Dementia	0
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	18
Female	44

**Age**
From 65 to 74	31
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2016

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	27
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2017 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	14
doctor visit	20
gastrointestinal procedures	14
minimally invasive procedures	14
weight management	14

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	20
Female	48

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2017

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	57
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2018 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	11
doctor visit	35
gastrointestinal procedures	11
minimally invasive procedures	11
weight management	11

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	20
Female	52

**Age**
From 65 to 74	40
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2018

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	53
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	44
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2019 were bypass surgery, minimally invasive procedures, weight management and gastrointestinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	14
doctor visit	40
gastrointestinal procedures	14
minimally invasive procedures	14
weight management	14

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	19
Female	42

**Age**
From 65 to 74	36
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2019

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	59
Chronic Kidney Disease	52
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	39
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT during 2020 were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, bypass surgery and weight management.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

bypass surgery	13
doctor visit	44
gastrointestinal procedures	24
minimally invasive procedures	24
weight management	13

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	18
Female	48

**Age**
From 65 to 74	41
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	58
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	20
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	42
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	42

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	12
Female	35

**Age**
From 65 to 74	30
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2021

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	57
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	28
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	30

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	14
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2022

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	39
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	19

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	14
Female	29

**Age**
From 65 to 74	25
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2023

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	37
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2024 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	28

2024 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Male	11
Female	24

**Age**
From 65 to 74	17
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD in 2024

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	54
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2024

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated as a bariatric surgeon in Salt Lake City, UT were emergency care, minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures and bypass surgery.

abdominal surgery	12
bypass surgery	13
doctor visit	45
emergency care	15
gastrointestinal procedures	15
minimally invasive procedures	15
weight management	13

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2024

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD.

**Gender**
Female	42
Male	25

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	16
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	4
75 to 84	8
Less than 65	6
65 to 74	36

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD From 2012 - 2024

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	3
Osteoporosis	0
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	30
Atrial Fibrillation	2
Dementia	0
Cancer	3

Education & Training

Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver. He is certified by the both general surgery and obesity medicine, making him the only physician in Utah with dual board certification and has a state license in Utah.

Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

Residency: Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver

Board Certification: both general surgery and obesity medicine, making him the only physician in Utah with dual board certification

Licensed In: Utah

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Nicholas J. Paulk, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$5,617 Da Vinci Surgical System $4,617	DA VINCI SP $1,000
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.	$1,672 Echelon Flex $140	STRATAFIX $105	Harmonic $73	ECHELON FLEX Stapler $32	$1,322
Ethicon US, LLC	$1,598 Harmonic $348	ECHELON FLEX Stapler $297	Echelon Flex $236	ECHELON ENDOPATH Stapler $206	Echelon; Endopath $126	Other $385
Ethicon Inc.	$1,189 STRATAFIX $1,189
Medtronic, Inc.	$534 Sonicision $421	Signia $100	LigaSure $13
Other	$876 ARISTA AH $136	Biologic Mesh $116	OviTex Reinforced Bioscaffold With Permanent Polymer (OviTex) $113	TITAN SGS BAILOUT CHUCK $105	ProGrip $51	Other $355

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$4,848
Education	$3,000
Travel and Lodging	$2,138
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$1,500

Biography

Dr. Nicholas Paulk sees patients in Salt Lake City, UT. His medical specialties are general surgery and bariatric surgery. Areas of expertise for Dr. Paulk include weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). He attended Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine and then went on to complete his residency at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver. In addition to English, he speaks Italian. Dr. Paulk is affiliated with St. Mark's Hospital.