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Community Corner

Weight Loss Surgery Center of Excellence

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has awarded Silver Cross Hospital a three-year re-certification as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® for the hospital’s weight loss surgery program. The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric (gastric bypass) weight loss surgery. 

 

Dr. Christopher Joyce, medical director of Silver Cross Hospital's bariatric surgery program, performed the first traditional and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery as well as the first adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy procedures in the southwest suburbs.  Since 2003, Dr. Joyce and his partner, Dr. Brian Lahmann with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross, have performed over 3,300 weight loss procedures, including laparoscopic gastric bypass, Lap-Band™ and REALIZE gastric band system. In addition to BMI Surgery recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®, it is also a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

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“Due to the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity and its inherent risks and opportunities available to greatly improve the health of this patient population, we feel that it is important that individuals looking to lose weight and improve their health know they have chosen a safe and comprehensive surgical program," said Dr. Joyce.

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During the past 25 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese and obesity has become a significant health issue resulting in about 300,000 deaths in the country each year. Morbid obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death.  In addition, it is closely related with a number of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

 

Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and too help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided. In the United States, about 150,000 to 160,000 adults have metabolic/bariatric surgery each year. Metabolic/bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective and long lasting treatment for morbid obesity and many related conditions and results in significant weight loss.

 

To earn a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® designation, Silver Cross underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes were collected. 

 

Free Program

To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free Obesity & Your Health:  Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for Me informational session on both traditional and laparoscopic surgery any Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at BMI Surgery at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 260, New Lenox.  To attend, visit www.bmisurgery.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

 

 

 

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