Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a type of surgery that is performed on people who are obese and have not been successful in losing weight through other methods. Bariatric surgery can help people to lose weight and improve their overall health, but it is a major surgery with potential risks and complications. Therefore, it is important for people to undergo a thorough psychosocial assessment before undergoing bariatric surgery.
Psychosocial Assessment
The psychosocial assessment is a process that is used to evaluate a person's mental health and emotional well-being. The assessment can help to identify any potential risk factors for problems after surgery, and it can also help to develop a treatment plan to help the person to cope with the challenges of weight loss surgery.
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The psychosocial assessment typically includes an interview with a mental health professional, as well as a review of the person's medical and psychiatric history. The interview will focus on the person's reasons for wanting to have bariatric surgery, their expectations for the surgery, and their coping skills.
The psychosocial assessment can also include psychological testing, such as depression and anxiety screening. Psychological testing can help to identify any potential mental health problems that may need to be addressed before or after surgery.
Treatment Planning
Once the psychosocial assessment is complete, the mental health professional will work with the person to develop a treatment plan. The treatment plan may include therapy, medication, and/or support groups.
Therapy can help people to develop coping skills, to address any mental health problems, and to prepare for the challenges of weight loss surgery. Medication may be necessary to treat depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems. Support groups can provide people with a safe and supportive environment to share their experiences and to get support from others who are also going through the process of weight loss surgery.
Follow-Up Care
After bariatric surgery, it is important for people to continue to receive regular follow-up care. Follow-up care can help to ensure that the person is losing weight successfully, that they are coping well with the challenges of weight loss surgery, and that they are not developing any mental health problems.
Follow-up care typically includes regular appointments with a mental health professional, a dietitian, and a surgeon. The mental health professional will monitor the person's mental health and will provide support and guidance as needed. The dietitian will help the person to develop a healthy eating plan and to make lifestyle changes to support their weight loss. The surgeon will monitor the person's physical health and will provide treatment for any complications that may arise.
Psychosocial assessment and treatment are essential components of bariatric surgery. The psychosocial assessment helps to identify any potential risk factors for problems after surgery and to develop a treatment plan to help the person to cope with the challenges of weight loss surgery. Follow-up care is also important to ensure that the person is losing weight successfully, that they are coping well with the challenges of weight loss surgery, and that they are not developing any mental health problems.
References
1. American Psychological Association. (2013). Guidelines for the psychological evaluation of weight loss surgery candidates. American Psychologist, 68(1),5-15. 2. Canadian Obesity Network. (2015). Clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of obesity in adults. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 29(1),40-46. 3. National Institute of Health. (2016). Weight-loss surgery. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/weight-loss-surgery
