The Medical Center, Navicent Health has achieved national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Accreditation demonstrates the hospital meets and exceeds national quality standards established to ensure safe, high-quality bariatric care. MCNH has offered the service through the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Navicent Health since 2013.  
 
“Bariatric surgery is a wonderful option for those with obesity who have not had success with diet, exercise or medical weight loss options. Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Navicent Health in conjunction with The Medical Center, Navicent Health provides patients seeking surgical treatment for severe obesity and its related conditions with a high-quality, nationally-recognized option for health and wellness. Our program meets the highest standards for patient safety and quality of care, and we offer numerous options for those wishing to improve their health through bariatric means,” said Danny Vaughn, MD, bariatric surgeon with BMI.
 
BMI offers three surgical options for those seeking bariatric treatment, including:
 
·         Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy – the removal of a portion of the stomach to create a smaller pouch, allowing the patient to better manage portion control.
·         Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass – a change in the direction that food travels during digestion to reduce the number of calories absorbed during digestion.
·         Laparoscopic gastric banding – the placement of an adjustable band around the upper part of the stomach to restrict the stomach’s size and assist with portion control.
 
MBSAQIP standards ensure that bariatric surgical patients receive a multidisciplinary program, not just a surgical procedure, in order to improve patient outcomes and long-term success. BMI offers pre-operative and post-operative care designed specifically for their patients, including nutritional counseling, monthly support group meetings and seminars.
 
“Our staff is committed to ensuring each patient’s success. Our interaction with the patient is not limited to the operation. We work with each patient prior to surgery to ensure that they understand the commitment required. We continue to work with each patient after they decide to pursue surgery in order to help them achieve optimal health and wellness,” said Robert Parel II, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon with BMI.
 
BMI’s highly committed and appropriately trained surgeons and staff seek continuous improvement to enhance the structure, process and outcomes of the center.
 
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 15.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from severe obesity. Obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality because of commonly associated conditions, including arthritis, Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and sleep apnea. Obesity is particularly common in the southeastern United States, including Georgia.
 
“At Navicent Health, we are committed to improving the health of our communities through all means possible, and we particularly want to prevent illnesses before it occurs. We are so pleased with the work that our surgeons and staff at Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Navicent Health are doing to minimize the prevalence and threat of obesity in central Georgia,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.