Preoperative Evaluation in Bariatric Surgery

An adequate preoperative workup is critical for the success of bariatric surgery. A key component of the preoperative evaluation involves a comprehensive patient education about surgical outcomes and the postoperative behavioral regimen required. A complete medical evaluation should include the study of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems as well as a metabolic status assessment. The nutrition professional should be in charge of the nutritional assessment, preoperative weight loss efforts, and diet education regarding postoperative eating behaviors. A psychological evaluation is also needed because psychosocial factors have a significant impact on the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery, including adherence to recommended postoperative lifestyle regimen, emotional adjustment, and weight loss outcomes. We recommend preoperative abdominal ultrasound to assess for biliary tract pathology, steatosis, fibrosis, and presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. A routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy is also recommended to evaluate common gastrointestinal disorders associated with obesity. Preoperative weight loss should be strongly encouraged.