Bariatric Times - February 2009 - (Page 8) 8 Practice Management Perspective Bariatric Times • February 2009 A Collaborative Approach to Reconstructive Surgery: The Importance of a Supportive Team by Tracy Martinez, RN, BSN, CBN; Christopher D. Still, FACN, FACP; MK Batra, MD, FACS; and RJ Nelson, BS Continued from Page 1 According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), there were 205,000 bariatric procedures performed in the United States in 2007. Table 1 (from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS]) shows that in 2007, 66,947 Americans underwent reconstructive procedures following massive weight loss. This is an increase from the previous year, which was a total of 65,945 procedures performed. Data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) shows that since 1997, surgical procedures have increased 142 percent. With an increase in both bariatric procedures and reconstructive procedures, it seems prudent to educate your multidisciplinary team members in order to enhance their knowledge so that they can be a resource for their patients. In our program, we call reconstructive surgery reward surgery. We do not want patients to feel embarrassed or vain for seeking reconstructive surgery. On the contrary, we discuss the possible desire or medical need for reconstructive surgery following massive weight loss at our preoperative education seminars. We stress the importance of their commitment to maintain a healthy lifestyle (daily exercise and proper nutrition) and wait approximately one year following bariatric surgery with 3 to 6 months of weight maintenance to prevent a false plateau. Several studies have shown that patients experience an improved quality of life and body image when body contouring surgery is performed following bariatric surgery.2 SUGGESTIONS TO IMPLEMENT IN YOUR PROGRAM Inform. Inform patients early of the potential need for reconstructive surgery following extensive weight loss. This can be done at preoperative information sessions and reinforced in supportive educational literature. This helps ensure a thorough informed consent and prepares the patient for after surgery. TABLE 1. ASPS Statistics: Body contouring surgery following massive weight loss (ASPS website; www.asps.org1) Procedure Breast lift/Reduction Extended abdominoplasty/ Lower body lift Thigh lift Upper arm lift Total Number Performed 30,039 19,500 8,023 9,385 66,947 http://www.asps.org
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