Question

EJ is a 28-year-old female. She is being admitted for Gastric Bypass Surgery. She is 5'6'' and 265 pounds. She has a history of Diabetes and hypertension, she is not on medications at the time.

Direction: Read a scholarly article and summarize in 5-7 sentences about bariatric client education and some complications during or and after the surgery.

Answer 1

Bariatric client education:

1. Take medications as prescribed usually crushed. Avoids NSAIDS.
2. Vitamin supplements have to be taken to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
3. For women with child bearing years, use effective birth control for first two years after surgery.
4. Return to work will depend on the health of the patient before surgery. Most of the patients can resume work after two weeks of surgery with no work restrictions.
5. Certain dietary modification has to be done. The diet advices to limit calories but to take a balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies and preserve muscle tissue. Low calories, low fat,high protein and no sweets are recommended.
6. Exercise for 35-40 minutes a day. This will help in weight loss maintainence.
7. Join a bariatric support group which will provide patient an opportunity to discuss issue they face after surgery.
8. Long term follow up is required.

Complications:

Intraoperative complication: splenic injury.

Postoperative complications:

• Tachycardia,
• peritonitis due to anastomotic fistula formation,
• postoperative malnutrition,
• Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis,
• Bleeding,
• Herniation,
• Gastrointestinal complications like gastric erosion, intestinal small bowel obstruction, gallstones, dumping syndrome,
• Neurological complications like neuropathy, myopathy and encephalopathy,
• Pulmonary complications like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, post operative pneumonia.