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Abstract

There is extensive evidence that bariatric surgery can have a profound impact on not only weight and obesity related co-morbidities but also quality of life, mood, confidence, body image and social engagement. However, the way in which these issues change over time and the differences between individuals post-operatively are only relatively recently being investigated. Some of the early improvements noted are not always retained and can lead to disturbed eating patterns and weight regain. The expectations both patients and clinicians can have preoperatively will influence outcome particularly for those who anticipate a dramatic life change with weight loss. Healthcare professionals have an opportunity to support and improve outcomes for patients post-operatively but in order to do so it is essential that clinicians have a good understanding of the �normal range� of post-operative disturbance as a transition to managing in the long-term, an ability to differentiate symptoms that have previously been considered as involuntary and secondary to the physical consequences of bariatric surgery and strategies for working with these different issues. This presentation will provide a brief summary of both empirical and practice-based evidence for post-operative difficulties in order to consider how to assess and intervene.

Biography

Email: Vanessa.Snowdon-Carr@tst.nhs.uk