Memorial Medical Center’s bariatric surgery program has been reaccredited by a national agency for its surgical weight loss program.

The reaccreditation is from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

 “Achieving this three-year reaccreditation once again demonstrates that Memorial’s bariatric program meets the highest standards of patient safety and quality care,” said Dr. Max Hammer, medical director of Memorial Bariatric Services. “Our weight-loss surgery patients receive the benefits offered by a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach that is a nationally recognized leader in bariatric services.”

Memorial Bariatric Services has performed more than 1,500 bariatric, or weight-loss, surgeries since its founding in 2002.

“Bariatric surgery is by far the most effective treatment for significant and durable weight loss for persons with severe obesity, but it requires comprehensive, expert care from an experienced team of surgeons and other medical professionals. Achieving this designation communicates that we have this level of care in place and reaffirms that we meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy and sensitivity in the surgical treatment of severe, life-threatening obesity,” Hammer said.

Patients receive care before, during and after surgery from a team of healthcare professionals that includes nurses, dietitians, social workers, clinical psychologists and physical therapists. Memorial offers three types of minimally invasive bariatric procedures: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding and vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Bariatric surgeons in Memorial’s program are Dr. Orlando Icaza with Springfield Clinic and Dr. Adam Reid with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Memorial Bariatric Services is part of the Memorial Weight Loss & Wellness Center.

For more information, call (217) 788-3948 or (866) 205-7915 or visit MemorialBariatricServices.com.