Finding an Appropriate Bariatric Practice
One of the first steps in developing an obesity management program is to locate and establish a relationship with a nearby bariatric practice. This expands the options for your patients to enable you provide the full continuum of care with the non-surgical interventions that you provide along with the ability to refer for bariatric surgery as appropriate.
Important factors to look for when selecting a bariatric practice include:
- Is the practice staffed and equipped to provide adequate patient support?
- What are the surgeons' experience and qualifications?
- Is the practice certified as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence?
- Allergan provides icons as part of the search results on the locator to distinguish surgeon with designated qualifications.
Sign in or register to access LAP-BAND® System certified surgeons through the Lap-BandLink™ Patient Care Network.
You are about to leave the Allergan site
Is the practice certified as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (BSCOE)?
Due to the increasing number of bariatric surgeries performed in the US, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) formally identifies centers that are performing optimally. The Surgical Review Corporation was formed as an independent, non-profit corporation charged with implementing and administering the ASMBS's BSCOE program.
To be designated as a BSCOE, a practice must meet strict requirements designated by the Surgical Review Corporation, and must agree to share information on clinical pathways, protocols and outcomes.
What are the surgeons' experience and qualifications?
Guidelines
Allergan, Inc. follows surgeon selection and training guidelines based upon the ASMBS and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Guidelines for Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity.52
Surgeon Qualification
LAP-BAND® System Surgeon qualification requires surgeons to have advanced laparoscopic skills. It also demands that they have experience in treating obese patients, and the necessary staff and commitment to comply with the long-term follow-up requirements of obesity reduction procedures.
Formal Training
- Have performed at least 25 bariatric procedures or have completed a comprehensive bariatric surgery course detailing the issues of patient selection, procedural options, perioperative care, and long-term management
- Have an established bariatric patient support program that includes appropriate hospital facilities, exercise and nutrition counseling, and psychological, general medicine, and radiology support personnel
- Have participated in a comprehensive educational workshop or one-on-one training on patient selection, patient support, complication management, and procedural information specific to the LAP-BAND® System
- Have been observed during their first band placements by surgeons experienced in LAP-BAND® System placement and use
Is the practice staffed and equipped to provide adequate patient support?
Another consideration when selecting a bariatric practice is the availability of a multidisciplinary treatment team, adequate facility staffing, equipment, and administrative support. Some practices offer computer programs to track patients and outcomes.
You can use our online Find a LAP-BAND® System Surgeon tool to see surgeon profile and practice details.
Indications for Post-operative Complications
- New, sustained pulse rate of more than 120 beats/min for at least four hours
- Inadequate weight loss
- Lack of resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, or hypertension
- Persistent severe gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain)
- Malnutrition
Criteria for post-operative hospital admission include:
- Severe malnutrition
- Gastrointestinal complications in patients not amenable or responsive to medical therapy
Revision or removal is recommended in the following circumstances:
- Presence of medical complications clearly resulting from the surgical process and not amenable or responsive to medical therapy (for example, malnutrition)
- Inadequate weight loss or weight regain in patients with persistent weight-related comorbidities who previously underwent a restrictive process
- When serious complications related to previous bariatric surgery cannot be managed medically and are not amenable to surgical revision
This list is not exhaustive and best medical judgment should prevail
Obesity Management Team
Obesity management is a multidisciplinary task involving not only your skills and expertise, but also those of other healthcare professionals. The bariatric practice works together with the obesity-management team, which should include the following:12
Referring Physician
Bariatric Surgeon
Anesthesiologist - responsible for anesthesia during surgery and aware of the unique complications induced by morbid obesity during anesthesia
Radiologist - responsible for the post-operative percutaneous stoma adjustment
Endoscopist - detect anatomical particularities and pathologies of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and identify post-operative complications
Psychiatrist, Psychologist - conduct testing to determine personality structure and behavior, contraindications, and assess the need for post-operative psychological follow-up
Dietician - implement and ensure compliance with required dietary modifications
Nurse, Patient Liaison, Patient Educator - provide explanations, education, reinforcement, comfort, trouble-shooting, and advocacy
Physiotherapist (Exercise Therapists/Trainers) - establish regular physical exercise habits
Billing/Insurance Manager - assist with coverage and financing
Search Results Icons
Allergan provides icons as part of the search results on the locator to distinguish surgeon with designated qualifications.
| This surgeon accepts out of town patients who are traveling or have relocated | This Practice is a Certified LAP-BAND TOTAL CARE® Program practice indicating their commitment to patient care | ||||
|
|||||
Language(s) Spoken
| English | Spanish | ||
| German | Chinese | ||
| Japanese | Vietnamese | ||
| Italian | Korean | ||
| Russian | French |
