(2007) The Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) named Deaconess Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery in late July. This honor is granted to bariatric centers that have the best patient outcomes throughout the country. The Surgical Review Corporation was formed as an independent, non-profit corporation, designed to implement and administer the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence program. The ASBS is the largest society for this specialty in the world.

To be ranked as a Center of Excellence, the hospital and surgeon must demonstrate outstanding outcomes with surgical weight loss patients. Hospital staff must maintain educational standards and demonstrate superior knowledge of caring for the morbidly obese patient. In addition, the hospital must be equipped to handle the special needs of the obese patients.

Currently, 429 surgeons from 234 hospitals have been designated as meeting the highest standards by the SRC/ASBS. The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Clinic, headed by Dirk Rodriguez, M.D., as Medical Director, and Founder Trace Curry, M.D., has served the community since 2004, and offers both the laparoscopic gastric bypass and gastric banding procedures. The two dedicated bariatric surgeons have completed more than 2,000 surgeries.

"The prevalence of obesity is expected to continue at a relentless rate. The only effective intervention is bariatric surgery, supported by a comprehensive program," says Dirk Rodriguez, M.D., F.A.C.S. "We're pleased to be able to serve our patients with this high level of care. At Deaconess, our patients will succeed."

More than two-thirds of US citizens are overweight, and that statistic continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control report that 23 million Americans are morbidly obese, which means that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40, exceeding their ideal body weight by at least 100 pounds. More than weight alone burdens those who are morbidly obese; they often suffer from other life-threatening illnesses including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.

For more information, please visit the Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center at www.newyourealyou.com or call (513) 559-2545.