St. Luke's Weight Loss Surgery Program Accredited
Posted on Jun 12, 2013
By St. Luke's, Duluth MN
St. Luke's Weight Loss Surgery program has been reaccredited by the
American College of Surgeons (ACS).
The level two accreditation from the ASC's Bariatric Surgery Center
Network demonstrates St. Luke's program's commitment to delivering
the highest standard of care to bariatric surgery patients.
To renew the accreditation, which has been held by St. Luke's since
2010, the bariatric surgery program underwent a site visit by an experienced
bariatric surgeon, who reviewed program data, the facility and process,
staff knowledge and education and equipment.
"Our patients like that we really get to know them," said Dr.
Jay Lenz (pictured below), the medical director of bariatric surgery at
St. Luke's. "We have a very good team that helps our patients
to overcome their weight issues. Every week we see patients whose lives
are changed because of what they've done."
According to the ACS, more than 15 million Americans suffer from severe
obesity, which increases the risks of associated diseases and conditions,
such as type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
The weight loss surgery program at St. Luke's offers three types of
procedure: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding. In
addition to meeting with Dr. Lenz, patients also work with a dietitian
and psychologist, both before and after surgery, to prepare for and work
through the lifestyle changes needed for lasting effect.
Physician assistant Carolyn Jahr coordinates the program, and says it's
a unique area of medicine.
"There aren't too many areas of medicine where you can take people
off medication over time," she said. "We see resolutions to
diabetes and blood pressure issues. People start to enjoy physical activity
and can do things they haven't been able to in 30 years."