Caring for the Orthopaedic Patient With a History of Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is performed on the gastrointestinal tract as a solution to obesity, and prevalence of these surgical procedures continues to rise. Bariatric surgery creates restrictive and/or malabsorptive properties, causing nutritional deficits from the physiological changes in absorption and a hypoacidic environment. Although surgery induces sustained weight loss, decreases mortality, and provides resolution or improvement to comorbidities of obesity, it can also come with complications. Common long-term complications of bariatric surgery include malnutrition, anemia, impaired wound healing, and impaired bone health. It is essential that nurses and the healthcare team caring for orthopaedic individuals with a history of bariatric surgery be aware of the special needs of these individuals, especially in the promotion of bone health. Using a multidisciplinary approach for the advancement of the orthopaedic patient's health will help promote quality patient care.