Fairview Southdale Hospital’s Weight Loss Surgery program and its three bariatric surgeons have collectively been approved for renewal as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® (BSCOE) by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The renewal of certification recognizes the outstanding patient care and outcomes of the program and bariatric surgeons Paul Benn, M.D; Luis Laguna, M.D; and Bradley Pierce, M.D.

The ASMBS BSCOE designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of high quality patient outcomes in bariatric surgery, including pre and post-surgery support, patient satisfaction and excellence in clinical care. To earn the designation, Fairview Southdale Hospital underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program’s clinical and surgical processes and data were closely examined. The program performs two types of weight loss surgery: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band®).

Obesity has become a significant national health issue, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that 66 percent of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Morbid obesity is closely correlated with a number of serious conditions that severely undermine the health of overweight patients, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Bariatric surgery can help obese patients manage these conditions, and in some cases, eliminate the condition completely.

Fairview Southdale Hospital’s Weight Loss Surgery program is a comprehensive care program that includes nutrition counseling, clinical and psychological assessment, medical weight loss, surgical weight loss, rehabilitation services, support groups and follow-up care. The clinic and Drs. Benn, Laguna and Pierce place importance on patient care and the achievement of successful outcomes for their patients. This is done through personalizing each patient experience and educating patients on all aspects of their care to involve them in the process. “Preparing patients for surgery by offering education and ongoing follow-up care is essential to successful weight loss,” says Cara Ashenbrener, manager, Fairview Southdale Hospital Weight Loss Surgery. The program recently passed the milestone of completing over 1000 surgeries, resulting in improved quality of life for patients.

Fairview Southdale Hospital’s Weight Loss Surgery Clinic is located at 6405 France Ave. S., Ste. W320 in Edina, and is one of two bariatric programs available at Fairview. For an appointment, call 952-915-8626. To learn more, visit southdale.fairview.org/weightloss.