Weight Loss Center

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) combined their respective national bariatric surgery accreditation programs into a single unified program to achieve one national accreditation standard for bariatric surgery center, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers. A bariatric surgical center achieves accreditation following a rigorous review process during which it proves that it can maintain certain physical resources, human resources, and standards of practice. All accredited centers report their outcomes to the MBSAQIP database.

Shannon Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ for Bariatric Surgery designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities that show a commitment to delivering high quality patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery program provides a full range of bariatric surgery care; including surgical care, post-operative care, outpatient follow-up care, and patient education.

“Being recognized by this distinction is such an honor and truly speaks to all the hard work our team and patients have put into this program,” Kenneth Jastrow III, MD, FACS, Shannon General Surgery, said. “It really is a joint effort of patient and provider that we are able to receive these prestigious designations for our center.”

Bariatric surgeries are among the most common elective surgeries in the U.S. — with more than 252,000 bariatric surgeries performed in 2018 based on a report from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 42.7 percent of U.S. adults and 18.5 percent of youth are obese and are impacted by obesity-related health conditions. With obesity reaching epidemic levels among U.S. adults, a significant opportunity exists to improve quality care for bariatric surgeries within the national healthcare system.

To receive a Blue Distinction Centers+ for Bariatric Surgery designation, a healthcare facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures, including complication and readmission rate for laparoscopic procedures in sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band. All designated facilities must also be nationally accredited at both the facility and bariatric program-specific levels, as well as demonstrated cost-efficiency compared to its peers. Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other facilities.

Since 2006, the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program has helped patients find quality specialty care in the areas of bariatric surgery, cancer care, cardiac care, cellular immunotherapy, fertility care, gene therapy, knee and hip replacement, maternity care, spine surgery, substance use treatment and recovery, and transplants, while encouraging healthcare professionals to improve the care they deliver. Research shows that, compared to other healthcare facilities, those designated as Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients.

• The initial visit may be a class that will cover if you qualify for bariatric surgery
  • discuss options and formulate plan
  • referred to our Registered Dietitian, GI Department, and Psychologist
  • meet with our Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to discuss sleeve gastrectomy to include preoperative workup, procedure, possible complications, expected results, and how to begin preparing for surgery
• Second Visit
  • meet with Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to address any medical conditions you have and what diagnostic testing will need to be ordered prior to surgery
  • discuss lifestyle modifications to prepare for surgery
  • referral appointments needed will be discussed
• Third Visit
  • we will review the results of any lab and diagnostic tests
  • ensure you're staying on track with preoperative workup
  • discuss preoperative diet, preoperative medications, what to expect the day of surgery and postoperative medications
• Fourth Visit
  • meet with Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant to discuss supplementation following surgery
  • you will not be scheduled for surgery until we have received approval from your insurance company
• Last Visit
  • meet with surgeon for pre-operative visit
  • the surgeon will be able to review the procedure, answer questions, and ensure you're ready for surgery

• Average of 66% excess weight loss at 3 years
• Our program average is 55% in 6 months
• Average waist circumference lost within 6 months post-procedure is 10 inches or males and 8-9 inches for females
• The average Hemoglobin A1c before surgery was 7.1. and the average decreased to 5.5 after 1 year post-procedure
• No significant changes in digestive process
• Cannot be reversed although it can be converted to other procedure

• Gastric leak from staple line
• Ulcers
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Esophageal Dysmotility
• Fistula (abnormal connections)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in lung)
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Splenic injury
• Stricture (narrowing)
• Late Choledocholithiasis (gallstones)
• Nutritional deficiencies

• After surgery, you will discharge home the same day
• Meds: Prevacid, Vitamin Patch, Gabapentin, Celebrex, Eliquis, Zofran, and other medications prescribed as needed
• Clear liquids first 48 hours, full liquids next two weeks, and slow progression to solid foods as directed
• Return to work in 1-2 weeks
• No heavy lifting (over 30lbs) for 4-6 weeks
• No strenuous activity for 4 weeks
• Vitamin and nutrient supplementation

• Follow up appointments and laboratory studies are important to your long term success
• You will have appointments schedules for 10-14 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 18 months, 24 months, then yearly therafter
• Labs are drawn every 6 months or sooner if needed

Click this link to calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index)