Motivating the Bariatric Patient

Bariatric surgeries can fail. Whether it be the fault of patient or the procedure, an evaluation of the reason for failure should be done. If the fault is with the procedure, there are revisions. If it is with the patient, how do we revise human behavior? A judgment must be made preoperatively if the patient will be an acceptable operative risk, and if the individual is an acceptable personality risk. Behavior modification, and a focus on positive factors of weight loss are what are believed to be characteristics for successful weight loss and long-term success. A multidisciplinary team should work together preoperatively and postoperatively to educate, encourage and support the bariatric patient so that he or she will be able to focus on motivation and compliance. The goal is to see that each individual will internally develop a sense of personal confidence and self-worth.