FALL RIVER, Mass. – The Southcoast Center for Weight Loss, a part of Southcoast Health, today announced that it is now offering weight loss surgery services in Fall River at both Charlton Memorial Hospital and a new office at 300 Hanover Street. Services at the office include clinical provider visits, dietitian and psychology visits, and pre-surgery workshops.

“This expansion provides better access to care for our patients in the Fall River, Aquidneck Island and greater Providence markets,” said Rayford Kruger, MD, FACS, Bariatric Surgeon & Medical Director for Southcoast Center for Weight Loss. “Patients in our weight loss surgical program participate in a process of care consisting of multiple appointments with the multidisiplinary team for two to three months preoperatively and then receive long-term follow up for at least five years. Receiving this care closer to home is more convenient for the patient, improves their compliance, and ultimately increases their chances for success in the treatment of their obesity and its related diseases.”

Dr. Kruger leads a team that includes surgeons Donald Colacchio, MD, and Thomas Streeter, MD, FACS., and Southcoast also recently welcomed two new surgeons: Rachel Jones, MD, and Jorge Huaco, MD. Drs. Jones and Huaco will see patients at both the Fall River and Wareham offices.

As one of the highest volume weight loss centers in New England, the Southcoast Center for Weight Loss has successfully completed more than 4,000 weight loss procedures at a level of care that far exceeds national quality standards. Southcoast’s program performs significantly better than industry benchmarks, with a low major complication rate of approximately 1 percent. In fact, Southcoast is designated as an accredited center by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation & Quality Improvement Program for its demonstrated track record of consistent, favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Southcoast’s community-based weight loss program takes a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery utilizing a team of dietitians, psychologists and surgeons to provide a safe and comprehensive surgical weight loss program. The program provides expertly coordinated care across many surgical weight loss services including laparoscopic gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, gastric sleeve and revision surgical procedures. Post surgery, patients remain in regular contact with a team of highly skilled professionals for guidance in nutrition and exercise and other supportive services including weekly support groups.

For more information about Southcoast Center for Weight Loss, call 508-273-4900 or visit www.southcoast.org/weightloss.