Bariatric surgery doctors specialize in performing surgical procedures that alter the stomach to facilitate weight loss in overweight patients. They perform gastric banding and gastric bypass procedures and consult with patients before and after the procedures. They are required to complete medical school, an internship, obtain a license, and pursue continuing education.
Bariatric surgery doctors, also known simply as bariatric surgeons, are doctors who specialize in performing bariatric treatment, a collective term referring to surgical procedures that alter the stomach that facilitate weight loss in overweight patients. A bariatric surgery doctor’s job often involves performing gastric banding and gastric bypass procedures, as well as seeing patients before and after the procedures. In most countries, bariatric surgery physicians are required to complete medical school and a multi-year internship, obtain a license and, in many cases, pursue continuing education.
Most of the time, the work of bariatric surgery doctors is divided into two tasks: performing bariatric treatments and consulting patients. The most commonly performed bariatric treatments are gastric banding, also known as laparoscopic banding and gastric bypass. During a gastric banding procedure, a bariatric surgery doctor places an adjustable band around part of the stomach, effectively limiting the amount of food the patient can eat to promote weight loss.
The most invasive gastric invasion procedure involves limiting the size of the stomach and surgically redirecting this “new” stomach into the small intestine. These steps restrict both the amount of food that can be eaten and the number of calories that can be absorbed, often leading to significant weight loss. Whether gastric banding or gastric bypass, a physician in bariatric surgery must work cooperatively with a team of nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgical assistants to facilitate a smooth procedure and recovery.
In addition, bariatric surgery physicians often spend time each day consulting with patients pre- and post-operatively. During preoperative patient meetings, physicians often review medical and behavioral histories provided by primary care physicians, help patients decide which type of surgery is best for them, and ensure that they understand preparatory measures, expected outcomes , the recovery process, and risks associated with a chosen treatment. After the procedure is complete, your bariatric surgery doctor will likely perform one or more assessments of your recovery before you are discharged from the hospital.
In most countries, bariatric surgery doctors are required to complete an undergraduate degree, an accredited medical course, and a multi-year internship. After fulfilling these requirements, they are usually required to obtain a license before beginning surgical practice. In most cases, they are also required to pursue continuing education to stay informed on the most up-to-date bariatric treatment procedures and protocols.
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