A bariatric surgery program run jointly by Fallon Clinic and St. Vincent Hospital has received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, Fallon announced today.
The accreditation means insurers are more likely to cover the weight-loss procedure at the two Worcester facilities, Fallon said.
Patients in the program get medical evaluations and nutritional and behavior counseling at Fallon Clinic. After changing their eating habits and losing 5 to 10 percent of their starting weight they can receive surgery at St. Vincent.
The program offers both gastric bypass and gastric banding. Both techniques are used to help severely obese people lose weight.
