|
|||
   |
|||
Bariatric Surgery
Suggested Links:
Programmatic Features:
Coordinate Care
The Bariatric Nurse Specialist coordinates each patient's care throughout the surgical process, ensuring adequate teaching, preparation, follow-up, and support.
Clearance by Primary Physician
Patients must be cleared by their primary care physician before surgery to ensure care coordination with the surgeon and ongoing medical management.
Psychological Evaluation
Patients must complete a pre-operative psychological evaluation to rule out mental health issues that could interfere with compliance and success after surgery.
Patient Teaching
Patients and their family members receive extensive pre-operative teaching by the Bariatric Nurse Specialist and Clinical Dietitian to ensure adequate preparation for diet and lifestyle changes.
Ongoing Support
It is a goal of the program to have patients return for a series of regular follow-up visits, including lab tests, for at least 5 years to monitor their health, nutritional status, and weight loss maintenance.
Support Groups
The Bariatric Nurse Specialist leads a monthly support group focused on helping patients to make diet and lifestyle changes that will promote successful weight loss and maintenance after surgery.