Dr. Don Gates, MD — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Dr. Donald L. Gates, MD, his background, clinical approach, and Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss in Savannah, Pooler, and Hinesville, GA.

About Dr. Gates’s Background

Where did Dr. Don Gates go to medical school?

Dr. Donald L. Gates, MD earned his Medical Doctorate from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California, where he graduated at the top of his class. Loma Linda is a nationally recognized academic medical center known for its rigorous training and whole-person approach to medicine.

What is Dr. Gates’s medical training background?

In addition to his Medical Doctorate from Loma Linda University, Dr. Gates completed training and practice as an emergency physician. He served on the teaching staff at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, one of the region’s leading academic hospitals. His background in emergency medicine gave him broad diagnostic experience before he transitioned exclusively to bariatric and metabolic medicine.

What are Dr. Gates’s qualifications?

Dr. Gates holds a Medical Doctorate from Loma Linda University School of Medicine (graduated top of class), has more than 25 years of specialized experience in bariatric medicine (since 1999), and trained and practiced as an emergency physician at a university medical center. He founded Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss in 2002 and remains the sole physician across all three of its Georgia locations.

What’s Dr. Gates’s clinical philosophy?

Dr. Gates approaches weight loss as a medical and metabolic problem, not a willpower or lifestyle problem. He believes that effective, durable weight management requires physician supervision, individualized treatment, and a clear understanding of each patient’s metabolic situation. He does not use one-size-fits-all protocols. His clinical process begins with a thorough assessment of each patient’s medical history, current metabolism, nutritional patterns, and weight history—then builds a plan around that individual. His background as a competitive bodybuilder also informs his practical understanding of nutrition and body composition in ways most physicians don’t have.

Was Dr. Gates a bodybuilder?

Yes. Dr. Gates was a championship competitive bodybuilder during his high school and college years. His interest in nutrition and metabolism began during that period and has been a constant thread throughout his career. That hands-on experience with applied nutrition and body composition is part of what drew him to bariatric medicine and continues to shape his clinical approach today.

About Dr. Gates’s Experience

How long has Dr. Donald Gates been practicing weight loss medicine?

Dr. Gates has been practicing bariatric medicine continuously since 1999—more than 25 years. He founded Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss in 2002 and has been the sole physician at the practice ever since. His level of specialization over that period of time is uncommon in the field of physician-supervised weight management.

What is Dr. Gates’s bariatric medicine experience?

Dr. Gates has more than 25 years of focused, uninterrupted experience in physician-supervised bariatric medicine. He has practiced across multiple eras of weight loss treatment—from earlier pharmacological approaches through the emergence of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which represent the current standard of care for medical weight management. He brings that longitudinal clinical context to every patient consultation.

Does Dr. Gates treat adults of all ages?

Yes. Dr. Gates sees adult patients of all ages at Scale Solutions. If you have specific questions about whether his program is appropriate for your age group or health situation, the best step is to call the office or schedule an initial consultation so Dr. Gates can review your individual circumstances.

About Appointments and Access

Is Dr. Don Gates accepting new patients?

Yes, Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss is accepting new patients at all three locations: Savannah, Pooler, and Hinesville, GA. To schedule your first appointment, call 912-352-7546 or email info@scale-solutions.com.

How do I make an appointment with Dr. Donald Gates?

You can schedule an appointment by calling the Scale Solutions main line at 912-352-7546 or by emailing info@scale-solutions.com. The office team can help you choose the most convenient location (Savannah, Pooler, or Hinesville) and find an available time.

How do I contact Dr. Don Gates?

The best way to reach Dr. Gates’s practice is through the Scale Solutions office:

• Phone: 912-352-7546
• Email: info@scale-solutions.com
• Main Office: 6602 Abercorn St, Suite 102, Savannah, GA 31405

How long is the first appointment with Dr. Gates?

Initial consultations at Scale Solutions are typically longer than follow-up visits, as Dr. Gates conducts a thorough review of your medical history, current health status, and weight history before discussing treatment options. The specific length can vary depending on your individual situation. For the most accurate information about what to expect at your first visit, call the office at 912-352-7546.

Does Dr. Gates do telehealth?

For information about telehealth or remote visit options, please contact the Scale Solutions office directly at 912-352-7546 or info@scale-solutions.com. The team can let you know what options are currently available and whether a telehealth appointment would be appropriate for your situation.

About Locations

Where is Dr. Donald L. Gates located?

Dr. Gates practices at three Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss locations in coastal Georgia:

• Savannah: 6602 Abercorn St, Suite 102, Savannah, GA 31405
• Pooler: 123 Canal St, Suite 207, Pooler, GA 31322
• Hinesville: 203 E Court St, Hinesville, GA 31313

All three locations can be reached by phone at 912-352-7546.

Where is Dr. Don Gates’s main office in Savannah?

Dr. Gates’s main Savannah office is at 6602 Abercorn St, Suite 102, Savannah, GA 31405. This is the primary Scale Solutions location. You can reach the office by phone at 912-352-7546 or by email at info@scale-solutions.com.

About Treatments and Medications

What medications does Dr. Gates prescribe?

Dr. Gates’s current clinical focus includes GLP-1 receptor agonists—specifically semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro® and Zepbound®). These are physician-supervised medications that require an evaluation, an appropriate diagnosis, and ongoing medical oversight. Dr. Gates determines which medication, if any, is appropriate for each individual patient after a thorough clinical assessment. He does not prescribe medications without a clinical evaluation.

Does Dr. Gates only do GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a central part of Dr. Gates’s current treatment approach because they represent the most clinically effective medications available for medical weight management today. However, his practice is comprehensive: every patient also receives nutritional guidance, metabolic monitoring, and individualized follow-up. Medication is one component of a physician-supervised program, not a standalone prescription. Whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate for a specific patient is determined through a clinical consultation.

Does Dr. Gates take insurance?

Most medically supervised weight loss services are self-pay. Insurance coverage for weight management programs and GLP-1 medications varies significantly by plan and changes frequently. For the most accurate and current information about payment options, insurance acceptance, and costs, call the Scale Solutions office directly at 912-352-7546.

What insurance does Scale Solutions take?

Insurance coverage for physician-supervised weight management varies by plan. The best way to get accurate, current information about what Scale Solutions accepts is to call the office at 912-352-7546 or email info@scale-solutions.com. The office team can tell you directly what applies to your situation.

About Language

Does Dr. Gates speak Spanish?

Yes. Dr. Gates is a native Spanish speaker—Spanish is his first language. He was born in Bolivia and grew up bilingual. He is fully fluent in medical Spanish and conducts complete clinical consultations in Spanish without an interpreter. Spanish-speaking patients are welcome at all three Scale Solutions locations.

What languages does Dr. Gates speak?

Dr. Gates is fluent in both English and Spanish. Spanish is his first language; he was born in Bolivia to missionary parents and grew up speaking Spanish before learning English. He sees patients in both languages and can conduct full clinical consultations—including history-taking, treatment discussions, and follow-up—in either language.

Additional Questions

Does Dr. Gates see patients from outside Savannah?

Yes. Patients travel to Scale Solutions from throughout Chatham County, Bryan County, Liberty County, Effingham County, and surrounding areas of coastal Georgia. With three locations—Savannah, Pooler, and Hinesville—the practice serves a broad geographic area. Patients from outside the immediate Savannah area often find Pooler or Hinesville more convenient.

Is Scale Solutions a bariatric surgery practice?

No. Scale Solutions Medical Weight Loss is a medical weight loss practice, not a surgical one. Dr. Gates does not perform or refer for bariatric surgery as a standard first-line recommendation. His approach is physician-supervised and medication-based, with a focus on GLP-1 therapy, nutrition guidance, and metabolic monitoring.

How is Scale Solutions different from other weight loss programs?

The most significant difference is physician involvement. At Scale Solutions, every patient is seen and supervised directly by Dr. Gates—not a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or remote provider. With more than 25 years of experience exclusively in bariatric medicine, Dr. Gates brings a depth of specialization that is uncommon in the weight loss industry. He also brings a personal background in nutrition and body composition from his years as a competitive bodybuilder, which informs how he thinks about metabolic health in a practical, applied way. And for Spanish-speaking patients, he offers the rare combination of full clinical fluency and physician-level expertise.