Bariatric nutritionists work with overweight individuals to develop and follow diet plans, understand the roles of food in their lives, and prepare for weight loss options and procedures. They assess dietary and general health needs, develop personalized meal plans, and coordinate treatment with physicians and surgeons. They also address psychological issues related to weight and document progress.
A bariatric nutritionist helps those who are considered obese to understand and prepare for weight loss options and procedures, develop and follow diet plans, and understand the roles that food plays in their physical and psychological lives. Their job is to document all aspects of the patient’s dietary and weight loss treatment and how the patient is or is not progressing. Their work is very similar to the work of regular nutritionists, but because bariatric nutritionists only work with overweight individuals, they typically perform their duties in clinics and hospitals and work more closely with physicians and surgeons.
During initial work, a bariatric nutritionist meets with the patient to assess their dietary and general health needs. They obtain basic information, such as the patient’s weight and blood pressure, and discuss what and when the patient eats. Based on the results of the assessment, the dietitian helps the patient develop some weight loss and health goals, such as losing a specific amount of pounds. He may recommend bariatric surgery depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, but generally this is only reserved for the healthiest, heaviest individuals who need immediate results to avoid medical complications. If he recommends a procedure, working with the patient’s physician, he ensures that the patient understands the risks, benefits and steps of the procedure, establishing an eating plan for before and after the procedure.
As part of their fundamental work with a patient, dietitians who focus on bariatrics discover what imbalances are present in the patient’s diet, looking broadly at carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals. This is just as important to the patient as losing pounds because nutritional intake affects everything from hormones to hair growth and energy. Based on the overall imbalances and goals, the bariatric nutritionist designs a personalized meal plan for the patient. Often, the nutritionist is very careful in how he implements the plan, using graduated phases, because he understands that the patient’s habits will take time to change and that the body needs time to adapt to a healthier diet.
To create a personalized eating plan for the patient, bariatric nutritionists must work with the patient’s physician to determine the extent of the patient’s medical problems. During this interaction, the dietitian finds out what medications the patient is taking, if any, as changes in weight and diet sometimes affect the effectiveness of certain medications and require dose adjustments. This means that although the nutritionist has a different area of expertise and therefore may not have the experience of a physician, he or she needs to have sufficient medical knowledge to understand what the patient’s risks are.
Another important aspect of a bariatric nutritionist’s job is to determine the psychological issues, if any, that are intertwined with weight issues. Weight often contributes to lower self-esteem and plays a role in social interactions; therefore, the nutritionist must understand how the patient psychologically depends on food or has been affected by their weight. He may recommend a psychologist for the patient if he thinks this will help.
While working with a patient, the bariatric nutritionist helps coordinate the various aspects of treatment. For example, he might consult with a cafeteria or hospital nurses to ensure his instructions are clear, or schedule a surgery for the patient based on progress reports. It is also your responsibility to formally document the eating plan, including the patient’s progress or decline.
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