The program provides expert care and guidance with a patient-centered philosophy. The bariatric program adheres to rigorous standards to ensure quality care. As a result, our surgical outcomes in bariatric surgery are among the best in the nation as all surgical complications at Monmouth Medical Center are tracked on a weekly basis.

The Bariatric Surgery Program at Monmouth Medical Center adheres to and meets all standards and guidelines:

• Structured in Accordance with the American Society of Bariatric Surgery Guidelines (ASBS) for Centers of Excellence

• Incorporated all recommendations from the National Institute of Health (NIH), American College of Surgeons (ACS), and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons

• Fellowship trained laparoscopic bariatric surgery

• Monmouth Medical is ranked among 100 top hospitals in the nation by Solucient for its clinical outcomes and quality patient care

 

It has been well documented that most abdominal surgery will be performed
via the laparoscope in the future. Patient demand for small incisions, which
result in quicker, less-painful recoveries and fewer complications, is propelling
the laparoscopic approach. At Monmouth Medical Center, there are more than 3,000 advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures performed each year. Since the year 2000, abdominal laparoscopic surgery has increased at Monmouth Medical Center from about 25 percent to more than 75 percent of all abdominal surgeries.

Laparoscopic surgery is not a new procedure. Monmouth Medical Center is a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery, being the first medical center in the region to perform this highly advanced surgery.

In fact, on April 3, 1990 MMC pioneered laparoscopic cholecystectomy. For the past decade, laparoscopic procedures have been used in weight-loss surgery, becoming the predominant technique. Laparoscopic gastric bypass differs from open gastric bypass only by the methods surgeons use to enter the abdominal cavity. When laparoscopic gastric bypass is performed, as few as five small incisions are made in the abdomen, rather than a long incision to open the abdomen. Through one of these incisions, a small video camera is inserted, allowing the Surgeon to view the procedure on a separate video monitor. Studies show that this procedure allows patients to experience less pain after surgery, easier breathing and lung function, and fewer wound complications such as infection or hernia, and patients returning more quickly to pre surgical levels of activity. However, laparoscopic bariatric surgery may not be appropriate for all patients. Individual patient diagnosis is reviewed by the chair of laparoscopic surgery to determine which type of procedure is most appropriate to ensure the best outcome.