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Preoperative Medical Weight Management in Bariatric Surgery: a Review and Reconsideration

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Abstract

Bariatric surgery is the most robust treatment for extreme obesity. The impact of preoperative medical weight management sessions designed, in theory, with the primary goal of promoting preoperative weight loss, is unclear. This paper reviews studies that have investigated the relationship between preoperative weight loss and bariatric surgical outcomes, both with respect to postoperative weight loss and complications. We conclude that the most robust of preoperative interventions has not been implemented or evaluated in a manner which would conclusively assess the value of this element of care. We offer a reconsideration of the role of preoperative medical weight management and provide recommendations for future research in this area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program, Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 4th Floor Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Colleen Tewksbury, Noel N. Williams & Kristoffel R. Dumon

  2. Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University, 3223 N. Broad Street, Suite 175, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Colleen Tewksbury & David B. Sarwer

Authors
  1. Colleen Tewksbury
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  2. Noel N. Williams
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  3. Kristoffel R. Dumon
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  4. David B. Sarwer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Colleen Tewksbury.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. Informed consent does not apply.

Conflict of Interest

CT is a full-time employee for Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program and a part time student in Temple University College of Public Health.

CT, NNW, and KD have no financial conflicts of interest to disclose. DBS has consulting relationships with Baronova, Covidien, and Ethicon.

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Tewksbury, C., Williams, N.N., Dumon, K.R. et al. Preoperative Medical Weight Management in Bariatric Surgery: a Review and Reconsideration. OBES SURG 27, 208–214 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-016-2422-7

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