NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Southcoast Health System announced today that Southcoast Center for Weight Loss has been designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) for meeting the current standards of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

To receive an MBSAQIP accreditation, centers are required to meet seven Core Standards including commitment to quality care, critical care support and continuous quality improvement. Eligibility is based on the close evaluation of extensive bariatric case reports in which all aspects of the medical weight loss program are considered.

“We are honored to be reaccredited as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence,” said Rayford Kruger, MD, FACS, and Bariatric Surgeon & Medical Director of Southcoast Center for Weight Loss. “This designation shows the high quality of care and services our team of surgeons, dieticians and psychologists provide to our patients every day.”

As one of the largest weight loss centers in New England, the Southcoast Center for Weight Loss has successfully completed more than 4,000 weight loss procedures at a level of care that far exceeds national quality standards. Southcoast’s program performs significantly better than industry benchmarks, with a low major complication rate of approximately 1 percent.

Southcoast’s community-based weight loss program takes a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery utilizing a team of dieticians, psychologists and surgeons to provide a safe and comprehensive surgical weight loss program. The program provides expertly coordinated care across many surgical weight loss services including laparoscopic gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, gastric sleeve and revision surgical procedures. Post surgery, patients remain in regular contact with a team of highly skilled professionals for guidance in nutrition and exercise and other supportive services including weekly support groups.

For more information about Southcoast Center for Weight Loss, call 508-273-4900 or visit www.southcoast.org/weightloss.