Community Corner

Silver Cross Weight Loss Surgery Program Honored for Excellence

The re-certification as a Center of Excellence recognizes the program's track record of favorable outcomes in gastric bypass surgery.

By Tracy Simons, Silver Cross Hospital 

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has awarded Silver Cross Hospital a three-year re-certification as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence for the hospital’s weight loss surgery program.

The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric (gastric bypass) weight loss surgery. 

Dr. Christopher Joyce, medical director of Silver Cross Hospital's bariatric surgery program, performed the first traditional and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery as well as the first adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy procedures in the southwest suburbs. 

Since 2003, Dr. Joyce and his partner, Dr. Brian Lahmann with BMI Surgery at Silver Cross, have performed more than 3,300 weight loss procedures, including laparoscopic gastric bypass, Lap-Band and REALIZE gastric band system. In addition to BMI Surgery recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, it is also a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.

“Due to the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity and its inherent risks and opportunities available to greatly improve the health of this patient population, we feel that it is important that individuals looking to lose weight and improve their health know they have chosen a safe and comprehensive surgical program," Dr. Joyce said.

A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital. 

During the past 25 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7 percent) are obese and obesity has become a significant health issue resulting in about 300,000 deaths in the country each year. Morbid obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death. In addition, it is closely related with a number of illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.

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Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the ASMBS Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and too help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided. 

In the U.S., about 150,000 to 160,000 adults have metabolic/bariatric surgery each year. Metabolic/bariatric surgery has been shown to be the most effective and long lasting treatment for morbid obesity and many related conditions and results in significant weight loss.

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To earn a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation, Silver Cross underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes were collected. 

Free Program

To find out more about the bariatric surgery program at Silver Cross Hospital, attend a free Obesity & Your Health:  Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for Meinformational session on both traditional and laparoscopic surgery anyWednesday at 5:45 p.m. at BMI Surgery at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 260, New Lenox. To attend, visit www.bmisurgery.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

About ASMBS

The ASMBS is the largest organization for bariatric surgeons in the world. It is a non-profit organization that works to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery and is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits. 

It encourages its members to investigate and discover new advances in bariatric surgery, while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients. For more information about the ASMBS, go to www.asmbs.org.

About Silver Cross Hospital 

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. 

With over 3,500 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 6 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox.

To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).  Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.


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