Portsmouth, NH – Portsmouth Regional Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Program has been recognized as a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

The hospital was previously a MBSAQIP Comprehensive Center, and after a thorough review and resubmission to become a Comprehensive Center with Obesity Medicine Qualifications, the hospital received a designation conversion from the MBSAQIP.

“We are proud to have received our new Obesity Medicine designation,” said Bernard Benedetto, MD, bariatric surgeon and program medical director at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution for weight management, and here at Portsmouth Regional Hospital we are dedicated to finding the solution - medical or surgical - that is best for each patient.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 93 million adults in the United States are affected by obesity, and that number continues to increase. The disease of obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of diseases and conditions commonly associated with it, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among other health risks.

The MBSAQIP Standards, Optimal Resources for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, ensure that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer pre-operative and post-operative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

To learn more about the Portsmouth Regional Hospital bariatric surgery program, call (603) 433-4984 or visit Portsmouth Regional Hospital's Bariatric surgery page.