In an effort to provide a more comprehensive obesity program and provide information to their customers requesting information about bariatric surgery, CIGNA initiated the CIGNA Designated Facility for Bariatric Surgery Program.  They worked with a team of doctors and clinical specialists to develop criteria in accordance with guidelines from the National Institutes of Health, the American Society for Bariatric Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.

In order to qualify for this designation, the facility must demonstrate bariatric surgery outcomes that meet or exceed the required quality measures set forth by CIGNA.

Because the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center’s surgical outcome results exceeded the requirements set by CIGNA, the NIX has been included as a Designated Facility for Bariatric Surgery.  This distinction only includes bariatric surgery facilities with a proven track record of outstanding surgical outcomes and the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center is proud to be included in this network. 

The NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center has a history of being recognized for outstanding performance in bariatric surgery, receiving the Center of Excellence designation from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as well as being hailed as the Best in San Antonio and in the Top Ten in Texas for overall bariatric surgery* by Healthgrades, an independent health care ratings company. 

The NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center strives to be the best in bariatric surgery; now and for many years to come.  For more information about the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center, please call 210-579-3315.

*As defined by Healthgrades

The Lap Band_® can save more than your life-

August 5, 2009

Did you know that medical spending averages $1,400 more per year for the obese patient than that of a normal size patient?  Those same patients pay almost $600 more per year for medications as well. 

A study published by the Journal of Health Affairs states that the cost of treating the medical problems associated with obesity make up 9.1% of all medical spending totaling $147 Billion, which is almost double what it was a decade ago.  For example, treating diabetes costs the nation nearly $200 million per year, and obesity ranks #1 for attributing to the development of diabetes.   

“The medical costs attributable to obesity are almost entirely a result of costs generated from treating the diseases that obesity promotes” said Eric Finklestein, Director, RTI’s Public Health Economics Program.

“Health care costs are dramatically higher for people who are obese and it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Jeff Levi of the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health.

The number of obese Americans rose 37 percent between 1998 and 2006.  But “we have ways of changing behavior and changing health outcomes so that we don’t have to deal with the medical consequences of obesity” added Levi.

The Lap Band_® is a minimally invasive, adjustable and reversible procedure that works by restricting the amount of food the body can take in.  Along with diet and exercise, this procedure has been very effective in the battle against obesity. 

The NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center, which has been given a 5 Star Rating, rated best in San Antonio and in the top 10 in Texas* for bariatric surgery service, has also been designated as a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  Their complete program provides patients with a support team and resources including nutritionists, counselors, and post-surgical support groups to help you achieve your ideal, healthy weight. 

For more information about the Lap Band_® please contact the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center at 210-579-3315. 

*As defined by HealthGrades

Nix Weight Loss Surgery Center exceeds OptumHealth Requirements in Bariatric Surgery

July 15th, 2009

Quality surgical outcomes remain a primary objective for OptumHealth, a United Health Care company. In order to provide the highest quality care to their bariatric patients, they developed the OptumHealth bariatric centers of excellence. Because the focus is on the quality of surgical outcomes, some employers require their employees to go to a facility that has been approved as center of excellence (COE).

The OptumHealth bariatric COE designation requires facilities to prove sound quality measures, low complication rates and favorable outcome percentages for a 12 month period.

Because the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center's surgical outcome results exceeded the requirements set by OptumHealth, they have been included in their bariatric COE network. This distinction only includes bariatric surgery facilities with a proven track record of outstanding surgical outcomes and the NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center is proud to be included in this network.

The NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center has a history of being recognized for outstanding performance in bariatric surgery, receiving the Center of Excellence rating from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, as well as being hailed as the Best in San Antonio and in the Top Ten in Texas for overall bariatric surgery by Healthgrades, an independent health care ratings company.

The NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center strives to be the best in bariatric surgery; now and for many years to come. For more information about eh NIX Weight Loss Surgery Center, please call 210-579-3315

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Biggest Loser

Jeanne Jakle: Producers looking for losers in S.A. San Antonio, known as one of the nation's fattest cities, will be getting some slim-down help from NBC's hit weight-loss series "The Biggest Loser."

Yes, the most lauded of makeover shows, which emphasizes fitness and smart eating and is hosted by soap star Alison Sweeney, plans to stop here this summer on a 15-city tour to find contestants for "Loser's" ninth season, set to air in early 2010.

According to NBC, family teams of two — parent/child, siblings, spouses, couples, cousins and in-laws — are invited to apply. Casting producers are especially seeking outgoing contestants, people with the competitive edge to take on this opportunity to lose weight, change their lives and compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Individuals who don't have a partner can audition solo. Everyone should bring a photo of their team.

Auditions will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 11 at the Nix downtown, 414 Navarro St.

"Loser's" casting teams will primarily focus on the first 500. People will not be allowed to line up prior to three hours before the start of the call, however. Those unable to attend can find application info at www.nbc.com/casting.