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Abstract
GPs have a crucial role in selecting patients for consideration of bariatric surgery and providing long-term follow up and support after surgery. Practical tips are provided on selecting patients, managing them immediately after surgery, recognising complications, long-term monitoring and preventing nutritional deficiencies.
Key Points
- Over 20,000 bariatric surgical procedures are performed annually in Australia.
- GPs have a key role in selecting patients for consideration of bariatric surgery and, after initial postsurgical management, most patients are discharged into the care of their GP.
- In addition to complications associated with all surgery, immediate postoperative complications can include dehydration, hypotension and hypoglycaemia.
- Eating disorders and mental health problems are common in people presenting for bariatric surgery; identification and stabilisation of these disorders are needed before surgery, and patients need ongoing support after surgery.
- Long term follow up is important to identify, treat and prevent nutritional, metabolic, mechanical and psychosocial complications of bariatric surgery; patients invariably require lifelong multivitamin and micronutrient supplementation.
