To become certified, the Bariatric Center at Southwest Healthcare System and the bariatric surgeon's practice were required to satisfy or exceed requirements in 10 categories, including:

• Annual number of cases
• Complication rates
• Long-term follow-up and support

Patients seek bariatric surgery to reduce the number of obesity-related complications like heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and diabetes. And then to reduce their weight, look better and feel better.

Minimally invasive, laparoscopic bariatric surgery at the Bariatric Center reduces the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food eaten. Also, this procedure requires a smaller incision, usually involving less pain and faster recovery.

David Suh, MD, who was trained at UCSF, has perfected the laparoscopic technique at Southwest for patients who are excessively overweight.

"This is the surgical solution many dangerously overweight patients have been waiting for," says Dr. Suh. "It offers the same permanent weight loss without the pain, disability and complications that can result from major abdominal surgery."

An Alarming Trend
Up to 40% of Americans can be considered obese. "There's an alarming trend among the population toward obesity," Dr. Suh says. "It is a problem that a lot of people have their entire lives. They also develop serious medical conditions—such as severe diabetes—that can affect the length and quality of their lives."

For those who are dangerously overweight, diet, exercise and drug therapy have not provided a lasting solution. Now, laparoscopic techniques can make surgery easier on the patient than standard, major abdominal surgery. And more private insurers now are offering coverage for bariatric surgery.