Journal of Perioperative & Critical Intensive Care Nursing
Open Access

Guidelines & Care of Patients after Bariatric Surgery

Sana Margeret^{* *}Correspondence: Sana Margeret, Nursing Student, Department of Critical Care, Assiut University, Egypt, Tel: 088-2223500, Email:

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Introduction

Obesity is common health problem which effects quality life of adults and children. Obesity is classified based on body mass index (BMI). World Health Organization (WHO) released classification of obesity as shown in Table 1. Eating more calories than requirement of body on long term basis leads to obesity. Overweight can be controlled by following healthy diet and exercises. Otherwise, doctors help is needed to reduce the weight. If non surgical medication is not effective for weight loss, bariatric surgery is definite solution. But, afterwards patients have to change how they eat and how much they eat or they risk getting sick [1].

Table 1: Obesity classification.

Post-Operative Care

After bariatric surgery patients will be admitted to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). A basic metabolic profile such as complete blood count, electrolytes, renal function, liver function, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time should be taken every 12h for the successive two postoperative days, then every 24h for another 3d. Oxygen is administered by nasal cannula and weaned thereafter. Then patient will be moved to postoperative unit. Postoperative team will care for control of pain, care of the wound, continuous monitoring of blood pressure, intravenous fluid management, pulmonary hygiene, and ambulation [2]. Postoperative period is varies from patient to patient based on their prior history of health condition. Usually patients are discharged 4-6 days after surgery.

Pain Management after surgery

Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) is the method of pain management suggested for Gastric Bypass patients. PCA will not take too much medication. But PCA is the best way of controlling pain. It allows patient to receive small doses of pain medicine frequently, which provides steady pain relief. After surgery, a nurse in the recovery room will set up your PCA and instruct patient on how to use it [3].

Diet after surgery

There are several stages in diet plan after surgery. In first stage, patients will undergo liquid diet until doctor decides to move next stage that is pureed diet. After several days, patient can add soft, easy-to-chew foods in their diet [1]. In every stage, patients are guided to drink minimum water to avoid dehydration and away high sugar beverages. Always patients are suggested to reduce high carbohydrates and consume protein rich food.

References

1. Elbanna AE, Bilasy SE. Medical management of patients after bariatric surgery: Principles and guidelines. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2014;6(11):220-228.