The bariatric surgery department at Lafayette General Medical Center has recently been designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® (BSCOE) by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as well as the Surgical Review Corporation.

The BSCOE designation is awarded to both the surgeons, Medical Director Philip Gachassin, M.D. and Dennis Eschete, M.D., and to Lafayette General for meeting the rigorous requirements of a center of excellence.

The delivery of high-quality perioperative and long-term follow-up care are among the many prerequisites. Additionally, the health care facility must also have performed at least 125 bariatric surgical cases in the preceding 12-month period. The BSCOE program is the world’s largest center of excellence (COE) program for this specialty; many of the country’s top bariatric programs participate. The BSCOE designation helps identify where patients can expect to receive safer and more effective surgical treatment.

Lafayette General’s Bariatric Surgery Department performs laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band and laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedures. Along with the surgeons, the bariatric support team includes a registered nurse, dietitian, patient advocate, behavior modification educator, licensed practical counselor and an exercise physiologist.

With the designation of Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® the bariatric surgery program is now eligible for Medicare coverage.

Free educational sessions are open to the public and held twice monthly in Lafayette General’s Owen Auditorium. The next session will be Saturday, January 28 at 10am. For more information, call LGMC’s bariatric department at 289-8484.