Iowa Health - Des Moines -Des Moines' Bariatric Services has been named an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence®. The ASMBS's Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

To earn a 'Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence' designation, the Iowa Health - Des Moines Bariatric Services program underwent a series of detailed site inspections. All aspects of the program's surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected. The Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) formulates and establishes the rigorous standards with which Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence must comply, thoroughly inspects and evaluates each candidate for designation, and upon review recommends approval of designation for those physicians and facilities whose practices and outcomes meet the stringent program demands set forth by SRC and the ASMBS.

"A strong center of excellence program allows for standardization of the bariatric surgery experience nationwide," said Todd Eibes, M.D., bariatric surgeon and Medical Director for Iowa Health - Des Moines's Bariatric Services. "This allows patients to be sure that they are receiving the best bariatric care available, from an experienced team of medical professionals who routinely achieve the best outcomes possible."

A team approach is vital for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. "This designation recognizes our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our program from our entire team of professionals," said Teresa LaMasters, M.D., bariatric surgeon for Iowa Health - Des Moines. "This begins with our pre-operative educational seminars, continues through surgery, and is maintained through lifelong follow-up and support."

Iowa Health - Des Moines Bariatric Services is located at Lakeview Medical Park, 6000 University Ave, Suite 300, in West Des Moines. Bariatric surgeries are performed at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Each month, the Center offers free, no-obligation education sessions for people interested in finding out more about weight loss surgery options. Iowa Health - Des Moines's bariatric surgery team includes a full time dietitian, psychiatric counselor, nurse coordinator, physician assistant and two board-certified bariatric surgeons.