Perioperative nursing care of the bariatric surgical patient

APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS of the US population is overweight or obese. The effects of the comorbidities that accompany obesity often are severe and can be life threatening over time. Currently, the most effective and sustainable method of substantial weight loss is bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery also has been successful in reversing comorbidities.THE BENEFITS, RISKS, AND COMPLICATIONS of common weight-loss surgical procedures (eg, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical-banded gastroplasty, biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch) are discussed.THE HEALTH CARE FIELD OF BARIATRICS is growing rapidly. More information is needed to support and guide changes in current standards of practice to better meet the needs of this patient population. AORN J 88 (July 2008) 30-54. © AORN, Inc, 2008.