Maimonides receives Bariatric Surgery honor

August 4, 2011 Editorial Staff
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Maimonides Medical Center has once again been named a BariatricSurgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolicand Bariatric Surgery. The designation recognizes surgical programswith a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatricsurgery.

This Center of Excellence designation is more than just anaccolade for our bariatric surgery program, said Dr. DannySherwinter, director of Bariatric/Weight Loss Surgery atMaimonides. It’s a reflection of our commitment to accommodatingthe needs of each and every one of our patients.

To earn the prestigious Center of Excellence designation,Maimonides underwent a rigorous process, including a series of siteinspections during which all aspects of the bariatric program’ssurgical protocols were closely examined and data on healthoutcomes were collected and evaluated.

In addition to demonstrating clinical excellence and adherenceto the strictest safety measures, Maimonides undertook a number ofimprovements and modifications to address the needs of largerpatients. This included purchasing new equipment — exam tables,wheelchairs, stretchers, scales and toilets – with larger weightcapacities.

Any obese patient requiring care at Maimonides – regardless ofwhether he or she arrives for bariatric surgery or some othermedical condition – has specific physical needs. Maimonides MedicalCenter is now better positioned to meet those needs during thecourse of any patient’s stay.

HealthGrades also has recognized our bariatric surgeryprogram, added Dr. Sherwinter, referring to that organization’srecently published ratings. This is more great news for ourpatients. Achieving a five-star HealthGrades rating means that ouroutcomes are in the top 15 percent of the nation.

Obesity has become a significant national health issue, with theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that 66percent of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Morbid obesityis closely correlated with a number of serious conditions thatseverely undermine the health of overweight patients, includingheart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Bariatric surgery, also referred to as weight-loss surgery, isperformed when patients have exhausted non-surgical weight-lossoptions and have a medical need for significant weight reduction.Candidates for surgery include: individuals suffering from morbidobesity, defined as a body mass index of or above 40; those who are120 pounds above their ideal weight; and people who are 80 to100pounds above ideal weight and have been diagnosed with diabetes,high blood pressure or sleep apnea. When bariatric surgery isperformed correctly, obese patients are better able to manage theseconditions.

To attend a free informational seminar on weight loss surgery,please call 718-283-7403.

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