Bariatic Center of Excellence

We know that obesity has reached epidemic proportions and is also the fastest-growing cause of death and disease in this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics, an estimated 66% of Americans adults are overweight or obese. Obesity is a complicated, multi-factorial, progressive, life-threatening, genetically-related, costly disease of excess fat storage with multiple obesity related health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and joint problems.
    
Many obese people spend a lifetime struggling with their weight, suffering with the associated serious health problems and the social isolation. Many try diets, exercise, behavioral therapy or drugs. Most have found these methods unsuccessful, regaining most if not all of the weight they intended to lose. In recent years, the medical community has developed several surgical operations intended to give severely obese people a safe, effective, and durable way to lose weight.
   
In collaboration with UW Health, Meriter Hospital offers minimally invasive or laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedures as means of helping severely obese people lose weight so that coexisting health problems can be diminished or eliminated and quality of life can be improved.
   
Drs. Garren, Gould and Campos along with the Meriter Hospital have been recognized by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence.

Continuing Support

Know that Meriter provides continuing support to you before, during and after your surgery:

• Bariatric Surgery Program offers educational seminars for those considering surgery. For more information and to register, please call (608) 265-7090. These informative, surgeon-lead seminars are held on the third Wednesday of the month from 10:00 - 11:30 am in the Lower Level Auditorium at the UW Health East Clinic, just off American Parkway on Madison's East side. 
• Bariatric Surgery Support Group meets the second Monday of every month from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Lower Level Auditorium at the UW Health East Clinic, just off American Parkway on Madison's East side. This group is for patients that have already met with a bariatric obesity surgeon, have experienced the surgery or are seeking more information about life after surgery. Please visit the UW Bariatric Surgery Program Web site for more information about the support group.
• Bariatric surgery discussion board is available on this site, which is hosted by Michael Garren, MD, FACS, bariatric surgeon along with input from other members of the Bariatric Program Multi-disciplinary Team of providers such as the dietitian, psychologist and physical therapist. All those who are considering or have had bariatric surgery are welcome.