In recent years, to improve the safety and success of these operations, two large professional surgical societies, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American College of Surgeons have extensive programs that confer jointly between a surgical practice and a hospital the title of Center of Excellence. The application process is long and takes about a year with extensive data submission by both the surgeons and the hospitals and include a site visit and review board. Our practice, the Advanced Bariatric Center, is one of the few that have been designated as a Center of Excellence by both societies. The two hospitals in Fresno at which we operate and care for our patients are also affiliated Centers of Excellence as well as two of the nineteen California hospitals that Blue Cross/Blue Shield have designated Centers of Expertise.

Surgical Review Corporation       http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx          

American College of Surgeons      http://www.facs.org/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html

Blue Cross / Blue Shield            http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/blue-distinction-bariatric/