Bariatric Centers of America

We are thrilled to announce that Bariatric Centers of America has successfully completed a Type 2 System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) examination for its BariNav system for the period June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. The examination conducted by AssurancePoint found that Bariatric Centers of America achieved its service commitments and system requirements as measured by the SOC 2 criteria for Security. The examination concluded in an unqualified (clean) opinion. SOC 2 reports are attestation reports that examine controls at a service organization relevant to the security, availability, or processing integrity of a system (security, availability, and/or processing integrity categories) or the confidentiality or privacy of the information processed for the user entities (confidentiality or privacy categories). Our SOC 2 report provides users of our services with information regarding the design and effectiveness of our internal controls relevant to the selected SOC 2 criteria. The information presented has been examined by an independent CPA firm. The successful completion of the SOC 2 examination is an example of our commitment to the security of our customer’s data. We intend to continually execute and improve upon our internal controls and to provide consistent assurance to our customers via an annual SOC 2 report.

We are proud to share that one of our partnered bariatric surgeons, Eric Velazquez, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS, is ranked among the 2024 Top Doctors in Atlanta, again! 🤩 Its such an honor to work with skilled bariatric surgeons that are transforming patient's lives! Get started with Dr. Velazquez by calling the Longstreet Clinic Center for Weight Management.

Our CFO, Louis Imbrogno, was featured in an article published by Barron's talking about the risk of Medicare Advantage plans for the future of patient health and economic costs. "Some big players in Advantage —notably Humana—are reporting sharply higher costs and lower profits...If the trends continue, it could translate to ancillary benefit cuts and more denials of services." Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/eMps4FCc

The obesity trends in America are quite concerning. Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, posing a grave threat to the nation's health. It is a complex health issue that affects millions of Americans and is a contributing factor to some of the leading causes of preventable death. https://lnkd.in/edE_x9sU

In the last two decades, the United States has witnessed a troubling surge in obesity-related cardiovascular deaths—a threefold increase that cannot be overlooked. This stark rise, from 2.2 per 100,000 population in 1999 to 6.6 per 100,000 in 2020, uncovers a silent epidemic that's been growing in the background, as reported by the American Heart Association. Read more about this drastic increase in cardiovascular deaths due to obesity on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eAKsx2i5

Obesity is a health epidemic that leads to a reduced life span due to the onset of many serious health complications. Obesity is characterized by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, which has a detrimental effect on the body's systemic functions. Adipose tissue, particularly visceral fat, functions as an endocrine organ, secreting adipokines that can induce a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, a key player in the role of accelerated aging. This adipose-derived inflammation disrupts cellular homeostasis and promotes oxidative stress, contributing to the premature deterioration of cells. Similarly, excess weight can lead to other health conditions. These conditions represent pathological parallels to the vascular changes observed in the natural aging process. Read more about how obesity accelerates aging on our blog: https://lnkd.in/eBt9Vq74

Several studies have outlined the weight-cancer connection. Obesity increases the risk of 13 different cancers, which make up 40% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the United States annually. The American Cancer Society reports excess body weight is responsible for about 11% of cancers in women, 5% of cancers in men in the United States, and about 7% of all cancer deaths. Cancer prevention strategies often highlight regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and regular medical screenings. Yet, there's another treatment for cancer that might come as a surprise to many—weight loss surgery. Read more about the obesity-cancer link on our blog https://lnkd.in/ghgcu4E7

Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can be complementary to bariatric surgery. A study found that patients who took semaglutide (the active ingredient in these medications) lost 14.9% of their body weight, but the weight loss is temporary if the patient does not change their habits long term. Although incorporating weight loss medications into a patient's lifestyle could be beneficial, it is important to take note of the side effects, high costs of these medications, and the longevity of the weight loss results. Read more about Ozempic and Wegovy for bariatric patients on our blog https://lnkd.in/etvaaZDD

Obesity is not merely a challenge of weight management; it is a critical risk factor deeply intertwined with various chronic conditions, diabetes being one of the most complex among them. Understanding how obesity can lead to diabetes is crucial, as patients with obesity are ten times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes—a condition primarily characterized by insulin resistance. Catch up on our recent blog about the study of how obesity is linked to diabetes: https://lnkd.in/eHQmzpeM

With partnered clinics across the country, patients can find bariatric care closer to home. Check out our network of bariatric programs on our website ✨ https://lnkd.in/eM4Rmt8g