Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
10:05
Techniques of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Modified Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Mice
Published on: March 20, 2017
12.5K
Rethinking Patient and Medical Professional Perspectives on Bariatric Surgery as a Medically Necessary Treatment
Gretchen E Ames1, Jennifer R Maynard2, Maria L Collazo-Clavell3
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|March 7, 2020
Summary
Misperceptions about obesity and bariatric surgery hinder access to this effective treatment for severe obesity. Addressing patient and provider barriers is crucial for increasing bariatric surgery utilization.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Class 3 obesity affects 7.7% of US adults, with over 25 million potentially eligible for bariatric surgery.
- Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, yet less than 1% of eligible patients undergo the procedure annually.
- Significant barriers exist for both patients and medical professionals regarding the acceptance and utilization of bariatric surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review patient and medical professional barriers to bariatric surgery acceptance.
- To highlight the underutilization of bariatric surgery despite its effectiveness for severe obesity.
- To offer practical advice for healthcare providers to improve patient access to medically necessary bariatric procedures.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on patient and medical professional perceptions of obesity and bariatric surgery.
- Analysis of common barriers including patient knowledge gaps, disease perception, and surgical fears.
- Examination of medical professional-related barriers such as misdiagnosis, guideline non-adherence, and counseling discomfort.
Main Results:
- Patient barriers include underestimating obesity severity, viewing it as a lifestyle issue, and fearing surgical risks.
- Medical professional barriers involve failing to recognize obesity causes, inconsistent treatment recommendations, and discomfort discussing surgical options.
- Effective medical professional counseling and patient understanding of obesity's health risks are key predictors for considering bariatric surgery.
Conclusions:
- Misperceptions among patients and healthcare providers create substantial barriers to bariatric surgery.
- Addressing these barriers is essential to increase the uptake of bariatric surgery for severe obesity.
- Medical professionals should reconsider bariatric surgery as a treatment of medical necessity when appropriate.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Psychosurgery
895
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
895
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
675
Enteral nutrition encompasses various methods of delivering nutrition directly to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bypassing traditional oral intake. It is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot eat by mouth but have a functioning digestive system. Key methods include nasointestinal feeding, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy, each suited to different clinical scenarios based on the patient's needs and condition.
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
675
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
365
Surgical interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are essential in managing symptoms and addressing complications. The selection of surgical procedures is contingent upon the specific conditions and complications that stem from these illnesses.
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
365
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
189
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
189
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
587
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
587
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
432
Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
432