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American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
AACE is a medical professional community of clinical endocrinologists committed to enhancing its members’ ability to provide the highest quality of care. The AACE Guideline for Bariatric Surgery represents a collaboration between AACE, The Obesity Sociatey, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) is a member organization for bariatric surgeons that works to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery. ASMBS is committed to educating medical professionals and the lay public about bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits. It encourages its members to investigate and discover new advances in bariatric surgery, while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients. Click here for ASMBS guidelines and clinical policy statements are available.
Surgical Review Corporation
Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an independent, non-profit organization governed by industry stakeholders and dedicated to advancing the safety, efficacy and efficiency of bariatric and metabolic surgical care worldwide. SRC launched center of excellence programs for bariatric surgery and developed the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD)TM. SRC has designated nearly 650 surgeons as well as more than 350 hospitals and freestanding outpatient facilities. BOLD is now the world’s largest repository of clinical bariatric surgery patient data.
The American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network Accreditation Program
The ACS BSCN accredits facilities in the United States that have undergone an independent, voluntary and rigorous peer evaluation in accordance with nationally recognized bariatric surgical standards. Bariatric surgery accreditation not only promotes uniform standard benchmarks, but also supports continuous quality improvement.
From the Research Community
A body of literature is emerging on bariatric surgery. Some articles of interest include:
Surgery for Obesity
The authors of this review article conclude that surgery is more effective than conventional management for weight loss. Certain procedures produce greater weight loss, but data are limited. The evidence on safety is even less clear. Due to limited evidence and poor quality of the trials, caution is required when interpreting comparative safety and effectiveness.
Trends in Bariatric Surgical Procedures
The increasing prevalence and associated sociodemographic disparities of morbid obesity are serious public health concerns. Bariatric surgical procedures provide greater and more durable weight reduction than behavioral and pharmacological interventions for morbid obesity. These findings suggest that use of bariatric surgical procedures increased substantially from 1998 to 2003, while rates of in-hospital complications were stable and length of stay decreased. However, disparities in the use of these procedures, with disproportionate and increasing use among women, those with private insurance, and those in wealthier ZIP code areas should be explored further.
A Study on the Economic Impact of Bariatric Surgery
This study evaluated the private third-party payer return on investment for bariatric surgery in the United States. Researchers found that downstream savings associated with bariatric surgery are estimated to offset the initial costs in 2 to 4 years. Randomized or quasiexperimental studies would be useful to confirm this conclusion, as unobserved characteristics may influence the decision to undergo surgery and cannot be controlled for in this analysis.
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