Dt. Carol
Bariatric Dietician & Content Writer
Team Approach: The Multidisciplinary Care Behind Bariatric Surgery Success
Bariatric surgery, which is performed to help individuals with severe obesity lose weight, typically involves a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals to ensure the best outcomes. Here are the key members of the medical team involved in successful bariatric surgery:
Bariatric Surgeon:
Bariatric surgeons play a central role in every aspect of bariatric surgery, from patient evaluation and surgical planning to the execution of procedures and post-operative care.
They assess patients for surgery eligibility, choose the most suitable procedure, perform surgeries with precision, manage potential complications, and oversee both immediate and long-term patient care.
Their expertise ensures that patients receive comprehensive treatment, leading to successful weight loss outcomes and improved health.
Working closely with a multidisciplinary team, bariatric surgeons contribute significantly to the holistic care of individuals undergoing bariatric surgery.
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist:
Registered dietitians (RDs) are essential in bariatric surgery, providing crucial nutritional guidance before and after the procedure.
They assess patients’ dietary habits, educate them on pre-operative dietary changes, guide them through post-operative diet transitions, recommend supplements to prevent deficiencies, offer behavioral support, monitor nutritional status and weight loss progress, and provide lifelong counseling to ensure sustained success and overall well-being.
RDs play a vital role in optimizing outcomes and promoting patients’ long-term health.
Endocrinologist:
Endocrinologists in bariatric surgery address hormonal imbalances and manage metabolic conditions impacting weight loss and health.
They assess hormone levels like thyroid function and insulin resistance, manage diabetes and thyroid disorders, address PCOS symptoms, and handle metabolic syndrome.
Endocrinologists ensure medication compatibility, monitor post-operative metabolic status, and provide patient education.
Their expertise enhances comprehensive care and patient outcomes in weight loss procedures.
Psychologist/Psychiatrist:
Psychologists play a critical role in bariatric surgery by evaluating patients’ mental health readiness for the procedure, providing support to address emotional challenges related to obesity and surgery, and offering behavioral interventions to promote successful weight loss outcomes.
They assess patients for psychological factors impacting their relationship with food, body image, and readiness for lifestyle changes, and offer counseling to help patients develop coping strategies and maintain long-term success.
Psychologists contribute to the multidisciplinary team by addressing the psychological aspects of obesity and bariatric surgery, ultimately enhancing patients’ overall well-being and adherence to treatment.
Anesthesiologist: Administers anesthesia during surgery and monitors the patient’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
Internal Medicine Specialist: Evaluates the patient’s overall health status, manages chronic medical conditions, and coordinates care with other specialists.
Exercise Physiologist/Physical Therapist:
Exercise physiologists in bariatric surgery provide tailored exercise programs to patients before and after surgery, promoting physical activity as an essential component of weight loss and overall health.
They design exercise plans based on individual needs, monitor progress, and encourage adherence to enhance weight loss, improve fitness, and support long-term success.
By incorporating exercise into the bariatric care plan, exercise physiologists contribute to improved outcomes and overall well-being for patients undergoing surgery.
Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Specialist: Provides pre-operative and post-operative care, educates patients about the procedure and recovery process, and coordinates communication between the patient and other members of the medical team.
Social Worker/Counselor: Offers support services, assists with navigating insurance coverage, helps patients address social and emotional challenges related to obesity and surgery, and connects them with community resources.
Bariatric Coordinator/Case Manager: Oversees the coordination of care, assists with scheduling appointments and tests, provides education about the surgical process, and serves as a point of contact for patients and their families.
The collaboration of these professionals ensures that patients receive comprehensive care addressing their physical, nutritional, psychological, and social needs throughout the bariatric surgery journey.
