Bariatric nurses specialize in treating patients undergoing or recovering from weight loss surgery. They require specialized training and skills to manage the unique needs of bariatric patients, including the use of specialized medical equipment and counseling on lifestyle changes. They also monitor patients’ progress and guard against complications.
A bariatric nurse is a type of surgical nurse who specializes in treating patients undergoing or recovering from bariatric surgery. This type of surgery is usually intended to encourage weight loss in people suffering from obesity. The procedures usually work by temporarily or permanently changing the stomach’s ability to hold food or the way in which the digestive tract absorbs nutrients from food. A good bariatric nurse typically has several years of specialized training in these specific concerns for bariatric patients. They are usually able to address a bariatric patient’s specific needs prior to surgery and often offer counseling and other post-operative services to help the patient adjust to a new way of life.
The typical bariatric nurse must help bariatric patients manage within the hospital premises. These patients often suffer from extreme obesity and may therefore require highly specialized medical equipment. Stretchers, gurneys, ambulances and other devices designed for use by healthy weight patients may not be suited to the needs of the bariatric patient. As specialized equipment can be scarce, these patients are often at risk of succumbing to obesity-related medical complications while awaiting care, particularly in emergency situations. One of the bariatric nurse’s main duties may be to help keep patients alive throughout the wait for medical help.
These surgical nurses also usually require strong problem-solving skills, as patient needs can vary widely from one to the next. Organizational, leadership, and planning skills are considered a must, as the average bariatric nurse will have multiple patients concurrently and will need to direct a team of subordinate healthcare professionals. In addition to years of specialized training in bariatric surgery and the medical care of bariatric patients, a bariatric nurse will also typically need good people skills, not only in dealing with co-workers and subordinates, but also in helping patients understand and accept the risks of surgery and make necessary post-operative lifestyle changes.
Once a patient is recovering from bariatric surgery, the bariatric nurse is typically responsible for educating the patient about healthy lifestyle and nutritional choices. The nurse will often need to provide patient counseling on emotional and psychological issues related to obesity and weight loss and may organize therapeutic support groups for patients. Bariatric nurses often monitor their patients’ progress after surgery, ensuring dietary and exercise requirements are followed and guarding against any complications that may arise.
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