Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence Designation Given to Montefiore by the American College o...( NEW YORK March 11 -- The Bariatr...),Health

NEW YORK, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bariatric Surgery Program at Montefiore Medical Center has been accredited by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons. The designation means Montefiore has met the essential criteria that ensure it is fully capable of supporting a bariatric surgery care program to help morbidly obese patients lose weight and that its institutional performance meets the requirements outlined by the College's Accreditation Program.

"We are proud to be recognized in this way," said Arnold Berlin, MD, Interim Chair, Department of Surgery at Montefiore. "This accreditation provides confirmation that our surgery program has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality care for its bariatric surgery patients."

Bariatric surgery is the clinical term used for two main surgical procedures that help morbidly obese patients lose weight and improve their resolve to keep it off. During Gastric Bypass, the surgeon staples a portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch for food, and reroutes the small intestine reducing the absorption of some calories and nutrients. In Gastric Banding, a silicone band is placed around a portion of the stomach creating a small pouch and restricting the amount of food intake by the stomach. Banding is reversible; Gastric Bypass is not.

Accredited bariatric surgery centers provide not only the hospital resources necessary for optimal care of morbidly obese patients, but also the support and resources that are necessary to address the entire spectrum of care and needs of bariatric patients, from the prehospital phase through the post-operative care and treatment process.

"Optimal management of the disease of morbid obesity involves more than just the various surgeries," said Karen Gibbs, MD, Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Montefiore. "We stress the educational aspect of our program as well. O
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