Primary Specialty Areas
Meet Your Provider
Dr. Barnes has been performing bariatric surgery since 1996, specializing in robotic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional procedures for failed Lap Bands and stomach staplings. He also performs robotic surgery gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and anti-reflux surgery.
He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and has been a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons for over 30 years. Dr. Barnes served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Christus Hopsital for almost a decade.
Committed to global healthcare, he regularly participates in medical mission trips to countries such as Ecuador, Honduras, and Haiti.
Dr. Barnes earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas College of Medicine in 1991 and completed his surgical training there in 1996.
Meet the Team
Patient Success Stories
What our patients say
This surgery and Dr. Barnes completely saved my life! I’ve become the person that I’ve always wanted to be. Now I can live my life the way I want to, because before I’ve always hidden behind the insecurity of my weight.
You will not regret this surgery!
– Rainey
For the past five years I have been striving to achieve weight loss, but my fondness for unhealthy food had hindered my progress. Despite my efforts with different diets, the results were not as desired until I consulted James R. Barnes, M.D., Bariatrict Surgeon, and made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery two years ago. This life-altering choice has allowed me to attain the best physical shape of my life, with a significant weight loss of over 40 pounds in the first year and a reduction in body size from 243 pounds to 160 pounds. My only regret is not having taken this step sooner. I extend my gratitude to Dr. James Barnes and his team for their expertise and dedication in helping me achieve my weight loss goals and improving my overrall well-being. Thank you Dr. Barnes! you are saving lisves one body at a time and you have me looking like a dime!
– Tonya Pouncy
I am 14 months post gastric sleeve. The changes in my life are phenomenal. I have more energy, sleep better, and best of all I can play with my grand kids. Losing the weight has boosted my self confidence and made me feel better overall health wise & personally. I highly recommend Dr. Barnes and having the surgery.
I will say that it is a life changing experience in more ways than one.
– Shannon
I believe that bariatric surgery totally changed my life! My obesity was associated with obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, chronic fatigue, and impaired function in my day-to-day activities. I decided to put my trust in Dr. Barnes and his team to help me make the changes necessary, reduce my weight, and improve my quality of life.
This is the BEST decision that I could have made.
– Wanda
In January 2024, I contacted Dr. Barnes to discuss bariatric surgery because I had struggled with my weight and overall health for about 5 years, weighting about 328lbs. After showing my commitment by eliminating starches, carbonated drinks, and sugars from my dient, I agreed to do a bariatric sleeve in March of 2024. I am now about 18 months out from surgery and proud to say I am at 195 lbs (down 143 lbs). I have reduced my prescriptions from 9 to 1. I am healthy and have energy I haven’t had in years.
– Regan Wooten
Before surgery, I wasn’t able to move around well and wasn’t driving. Now, I can get around easily, and I’m back to driving – I’m truly living again!
– Lakeira Straughter