Smacc

Ben Shippey discusses the important anaesthetic considerations in bariatric surgery. Obesity surgery can induce a strong response in healthcare professionals. These biases must be overcome to facilitate efficient and safe services. Evidently, Bariatric surgery provides many challenges. To begin with, healthcare professionals can associate negative thoughts with obesity. Secondly, these patients present complex respiratory and cardiovascular physiology that must be considered. Ben highlights three important considerations when preparing for, and delivery anaesthetics in the bariatric population. These are Attitude, Assessment and Act. Attitude - Encompasses the attitude of the physicians, theatre team and the patient themselves. One must recognise and change their thinking about the obese patient. Ben’s team does this by realising the complex psychological background these patients invariably have. Assessment - Furthermore, a multidisciplinary team must undertake a broad assessment. Specifically for the anaest