Bariatric Surgery: Comprehensive Strategies for Management in Primary Care

• Role of primary care nurse practitioner in the management of the patient before and after bariatric weight-loss surgery.
• Review of the obesity epidemic, weight-loss surgery options, and possible postoperative complications to be aware of in primary care.
• Review of the medical and psychological components of weight-loss surgery.
• Strategies in primary care to prevent long-term weight regain after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery is an alternative for long-term weight loss that improves quality of life and decreases mortality by reducing or eliminating obesity and the associated chronic diseases. The nurse practitioner’s role is vital in promoting positive long-term outcomes in view of the increased prevalence of patients with bariatric surgery and their need for management in the primary care setting. The obesity epidemic, weight-loss surgery options, and strategies to manage risks, benefits, and complications need to be considered in providing primary care. As primary care providers, we must address the gap between the psychological benefits of weight-loss surgery and strategies to prevent weight regain and chemical dependency.