Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that studies overweight and obesity, its causes, prevention, and treatment.

People with weight loss maintenance problems and obesity-related diseases are encouraged to visit a bariatrician, who may consider bariatric surgery the best choice.

For guidance in these procedures, it’s important to rely on a multidisciplinary team capable of assessing the patient before surgery and offering a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, as well as long-term follow-u to optimize the results. Therefore, when choosing bariatric surgery as obesity treatment, a comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment by specialist with training and experience in bariatric management is essential.

Among the specialists that make up this health team, a bariatric dietitian should be included since they can understand the biological, psychological, and social environment that the patient with obesity faces. Moreover, bariatric dietitians understand the bariatric surgeries and their effects on the digestive system for a better nutritional intervention: before, during, and after surgery.

Sources:

• Mechanick JI, et al. Obesity 2020;28:O1-58.
• Yumuk V, et al. Obes Facts 2015;8:402-24.