Bariatric surgery has been shown to be more effective than traditional weight loss methods at reducing body mass index and the severity of comorbid conditions with acceptable risk for severely obese patients. Current research suggests possible benefits in expanding the eligibility parameters beyond BMIs greater than 35 with comorbidities or greater than 40 with or without comorbidities. To increase your knowledge of the procedures and gain confidence in suggesting them as an option, visit ModernMedicine’s Morbid Obesity Resource Center. This Resource Center offers brief instructional videos from doctors at Columbia University Medical Center, clinical articles on the procedures and management of surgical candidates, a downloadable assessment checklist you can use right away, as well as a CME opportunity. From the archives of ModernMedicine comes an article of the role of the PCP in bariatric procedures plus a patient handout.

Covered in this Physician’s Focus:

• Bariatric surgery as early intervention for obesity and related comorbidities
• Management of the candidate for bariatric surgery
• The role of primary care in bariatric procedures
• VIDEOS: Co-Management of the morbidly obese patient: primary care and bariatric surgery
• CHECKLIST: Assessment of patients for bariatric surgery
• PATIENT HANDOUT: Weight-loss surgeries

Click here to access these resources…