WHAT IS BARIATRIC SURGERY? Surgery which is performed to enable

the patient to lose significant weight and maintain that weight loss.

Surgery which is the only effective therapy for morbid obesity and its complications according to the National Institutes of Health.

A serious surgery which is very effective when paired with lifestyle changes in diet and exercise.

OBESITY Has reached epidemic proportions in recent years.

More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese.

Obese individuals historically have suffered discrimination due to their weight, and as a result must be shown increased sensitivity.

LOUISIANA CENTER FOR WEIGHT LOSS

SURGERYDesignated a Center of

Excellence by the American Society for

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Committed to a high level of bariatric care, working to promote patient safety and

advocacy, participating in comprehensive data tracking and analysis regarding our patient

outcomes.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY?

•Those who are morbidly obese (a body mass of greater than 40).

•Those with a body mass of 35-40 who have other serious medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis.

For a patient to have bariatric surgery, that person must have failed other weight loss programs.

Bariatric surgery is NOT a “quick fix”; it is a last resort for morbidly obese patients.

TAKING EXTRA CARE MOVING OBESE PATIENTS

Transferring the morbidly obese patient: If patient is awake, have them help you. Educate patient on what you are about to do.

If patient is asleep, you will need 5 caregivers to move patient. Use equipment such as the roller or the slider. When moving the bed, have 3 caregivers available to move the bed.

HOW DO WE IMPROVE SENSITIVE CARE FOR BARIATRIC PATIENTS?

Weigh with careMany large patients are embarrassed and anxious about being weighed. It’s important to maintain privacy, don’t announce the patient’s weight, simply record the weight without judgment or comment. Unless the patient asks to know his/her weight, don’t volunteer that information.

Create a weight-friendly environment

Make sure our rooms are weight-friendly.

Make sure we have appropriately-sized equipment to accommodate large patients.

Make larger size gowns available. Make sure our furniture is sturdy.

Be mindful of language

Many patients feel embarrassment, shame, and anxiety surrounding their weight so it is important for providers to recognize and implement language about weight that patients prefer and feel comfortable with.

Preferred words: weight, excess weight, BMI

Undesirable: fatness, heaviness, large size, weight problem

Implement Sensitive Practices

Recognize that obese patients may have experienced negative interactions with providers because of weight bias. As a result, patients may be more reluctant to voice concerns, ask questions, or participate in conversations with providers.

We should strive to foster patient-centered communications.

END OF PRESENTATION This is the end of presentation.