NewYork-Presbyterian Receives Highest Accreditation for Bariatric Surgery

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has accredited NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as a Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) hospital with the highest possible designation (1A), in recognition of the Hospital's ability to offer patients the best care available. The top-level designation is a first for New York state and one of only seven nationwide.

An estimated 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older are obese -- more than 60 million people. Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. As few as 5 percent of people who participate in non-surgical weight-loss programs lose a significant amount of weight and maintain that loss for a long period of time.

Level 1A bariatric surgery centers, the highest of five designated levels, are defined by the ACS as providing complete specialized care for all patients, including those with the most challenging and complex conditions, in order to ensure the best outcomes. Additionally, the centers' highly credentialed bariatric surgeons handle a high volume of cases.

The bariatric surgery program at NewYork-Presbyterian is led by world-renowned surgeons Dr. Marc Bessler and Dr. Michel Gagner. Pioneers in their field, they have helped developed some of the innovative procedures offered at the Hospital.

"This important designation recognizes our Hospital's ability to offer patients the safest and most effective surgical options for treating obesity," says Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian. "Certification from the American College of Surgeons is a testament to the quality of care available at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, home to two of the nation's top academic medical centers -- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center."

"While diet and exercise are important to maintaining an optimal weight, surgery is the only option for many obese individuals. We offer the full range of treatment options, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, duodenal switch, sleeve gastrectomy and others," says Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi, surgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell and the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College.

"Patients can expect privacy and personalized attention, from the time of their initial consultation through lifelong follow-up," says Dr. Eric Rose, surgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and the Morris and Rose Milstein, Johnson & Johnson Professor of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "We pride ourselves on confidentiality and the individuality of each patient, and aim to have all patients feel comfortable and confident prior to surgery."

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