Data shows optimism for weight-loss surgery in right conditions

Weight-loss surgery is most successful when experienced doctors follow strict guidelines for performing the procedures and selecting patients, according to data released by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Post-surgery readmission rates dropped when patients sought treatment by 12 surgeons identified by Blue Cross at "centers of excellence," an initial analysis of the data found.

The insurance provider started looking at bariatric surgery in 2004, and identified centers based on the number of procedures and their success rate.

Between October 2004 and October 2005, hospital readmission rates dropped by nearly half among patients treated by the 12 identified surgeons. Less than 5 percent of those patients had to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of the surgery.

In 2003, before the excellence program, the same surgeons readmitted 7.6 percent of bariatric patients and non-center of excellence surgeons readmitted 16.4 percent, according to Blue Cross estimates.

The company said non-center of excellence surgeons have also improved since the program began.

"Physicians are a pretty competitive group. Most are going to want to show improvement," said Dr. Robert Harris, chief medical officer for Blue Cross.

Insurance providers have long been cautious about covering bariatric surgery, which shrinks the stomach and alters digestion to help patients lose weight. The procedure can result in serious complications such as intestinal ruptures, internal bleeding, infection, severe malnutrition, vomiting and acid reflux.

In recent years, many insurers dropped or restricted coverage because of high rates of complications.

"The problem has been that everyone has been doing it and they didn't have the systems in place to ensure quality," said Dr. Walter Pories, a professor of medicine at East Carolina University who performed bariatric surgery from the early 1980s until six years ago. "Once you have the systems in place, the safety is remarkable."

Posted by: Best Weight Loss Program