NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Receives New Certification in Obesity Medicine and Recertification as Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center
October 30, 2023
New York City, New York
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced today that the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) has accredited the hospital’s Obesity Medicine program and recertified its bariatric surgery program. The hospital is designated by the program as a “Comprehensive Center with Adolescent and Obesity Medicine Qualifications.” The surgical program’s accreditation process reviews patient safety procedures, clinical data and other rigorous bariatric surgery standards. All patients undergo months of screening and preparation before undergoing surgery, and these interventions provide patients with many benefits, including weight loss, potential diabetes relief, and blood pressure improvements. Bellevue Obesity and Weight Management Center has provided bariatric surgery and medical weight management services since its founding in 2008, but this is the first time the accrediting organization has offered certification in obesity medicine.
“The accreditation process rigorously evaluated our weight loss program, and I would like to congratulate the bariatric surgery and medical weight management teams,” said William Hicks, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “The program’s continued success reflects the team’s commitment to providing excellent patient care and improving patients’ quality of life.”
MBSAQIP accredits bariatric surgery centers in the United States and Canada that undergo independent, voluntary and rigorous peer evaluations based on nationally recognized bariatric surgery standards. This certification promotes consistent benchmarking of standards and supports continuous quality improvement.
The MBSAQIP investigation called the Bellevue program an “extremely structured program with experienced leadership and efficient processes that allow Bellevue to operate as a very high-volume program without sacrificing quality. “
“We are honored to receive this certification,” said Manish Parikh, MD, Director, Center for Obesity and Weight Management. “This is our 5th The program has been accredited since its inception in 2008 and demonstrates institutional commitment, leadership and resources to provide optimal care to our underserved patient population. “
Tatiana Figueiredo-Deters, MD Recently joined the team Obesity Medicine DirectorExpand multidisciplinary teams consisting of physician extenders such as surgeons, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, pediatricians, registered dietitians and mental health specialists.
“The Obesity Medicine Program allows us to treat patients who are not eligible for bariatric surgery or do not want bariatric surgery,” said Dr. Figueiredo. “We are deeply committed to the care of Bellevue’s overweight and obese patients and finding the best option for each patient.”
Research has found that being overweight and obese increases the risk of weight-related health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and certain cancers.
The Obesity and Weight Management Center is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to the comprehensive treatment of obesity and related conditions such as diabetes. It includes aspects such as nutrition, exercise, behavior change, medications, and bariatric surgery. It offers a variety of treatments, including bariatric surgery, with a core staff of expert clinicians in the fields of surgery, medicine, nutrition and psychology.
Bariatric surgery reduces weight by reducing the size of the stomach and limiting the amount of food it can hold. Treatment options include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding. Patients undergo months of screening and preparation before undergoing surgery.
Patient health outcomes include:
- Thousands of pounds of weight loss (on average, patients lose 50-70% of their body weight)
- 60-80% of people with type 2 diabetes go into complete remission, meaning they no longer need to take medications to control their type 2 diabetes.
- 70% of people with high blood pressure go into complete remission, meaning they no longer need to take medications to control their high blood pressure.
- Eighty percent of people with high cholesterol have their cholesterol levels return to normal.
- 90% of patients with osteoarthritis experience significant improvement.
The weight loss program was launched in 2008 and was first recognized in 2010. Accreditation has since been re-accredited every three years, with the 2022 survey postponed to this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the thousands of patients who have had bariatric surgery in Bellevue, Mary Mar Garcia,28.
Garcia said she tried different methods of losing weight over the years, including taking diet pills and herbal drinks. Garcia, a hairstylist who owns her own salon in the Bronx, said even her clients tell her she should lose weight. She began to consider weight loss surgery.
“I couldn’t lose weight. Or I would lose weight and gain it back,” Garcia said. “One day I looked at myself in the mirror and said, you know what, I need this.”
Garcia searched online and found the Bellevue project. She attended the online seminar and got an appointment within two weeks. She has since had multiple appointments with doctors, nutritionists and psychologists.
“This is a real process. Doctors ask me, why do I want to lose weight? What have I done to lose weight before. They know me.” Garcia said. “I couldn’t walk a mile before. Now I can walk. I can climb stairs. I can go to the gym.”
Garcia said she was able to play with her children. She is married and has three children, ages 12, 11 and 3 years old. “I can’t play with them because I’m always tired.” Now I can walk and walk without getting tired. I don’t sleep during the day. They really like who I am now. “
Her husband had been hesitant about her having surgery, but later changed his mind. “When he saw me lose weight, he liked it.”
She initially weighed 235 pounds and has lost approximately 80 pounds since her surgery in April 2022. Garcia said she is healthier now and is grateful for the care she received at Bellevue.
“They really help me. They answer my calls. I really like how they take care of you.”
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Media Contact: Bellevue Public Relations, 212-562-4516;
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is the oldest public hospital in the United States, founded in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a primary referral center for highly complex cases and has 6,000 employees, including highly skilled interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center with approximately 103,000 emergency room visits and more than 520,000 outpatient visits annually, while our COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Center sees nearly 200,000 visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Pediatric Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the nation’s largest municipal health care system, serving more than 1 million New Yorkers annually at more than 70 patient care sites across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, community-based primary and specialty care centers coordinates care with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agencies and MetroPlus health plans, all supported by 11 primary hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is focused on helping New Yorkers, without exception, live their healthiest lives. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, TwitterInstagram and LinkedIn.