Enhancing Nursing Care by Understanding the Bariatric Patient's Journey

Patients who undergo obesity-related bariatric surgery seek a lasting solution to weight loss and a desire for a healthier lifestyle. Perioperative nurses should be prepared to provide sensitive, high-quality care to this population. Effective assessment and management of bariatric patients involves understanding the motivating factors for seeking bariatric surgery, such as to address the stigma and health problems associated with obesity. Nurses should be knowledgeable about expected outcomes of bariatric care, including long-term processes and lifestyle changes that patients must participate in to sustain weight loss. The informed perioperative nurse is essential to the successful treatment of bariatric patients in their journey to healthier living.