Updated Guidelines Issued to Support Enhanced Clinical Outcomes for Bariatric Surgery Patients

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 10:13 am EDT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Updated clinical guidelines outlining optimal management of bariatric surgery patients’ pre- and post-surgery care have been updated by a collaborative group composed of physicians representing the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Obesity Society (TOS) and the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

The guidelines’ 74 evidence-based recommendations expand on recommendations originally published by the Task Force in 2008 and reflect recent additions to the evidence base, addressing clinical concerns such as bariatric surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes; bariatric surgery for patients with mild obesity; informed consent; and behavioral issues.

“With the number of severely obese individuals on the rise and a broader range of available surgical techniques being introduced, both surgical and endoscopic, the potentially increased need for this type of surgery demands an update of clinical best practices,” said AACE member and co-chair of the guidelines, Jeffrey I. Mechanick, MD, FACP, FACE, FACN, ECNU.

Among the topics the guidelines address are:

• Parameters to assist in selecting appropriate patients for bariatric surgery;

• Best surgical options based on the patient profile;

• Optimizing early postoperative care and long-term patient follow-up;

• Ways to recognize and manage post-operative complications;

• Recommendations to select patients for a second bariatric surgical procedure, revision or reversal of a previous bariatric surgical procedure.

The guidelines are co-published online at the organizations’ respective websites, and will be published in the March/April 2013 issue of Endocrine Practice and March 2013 issue of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

To download an electronic version of the guidelines, please visit the following link on the Endocrine Practice website here: http://aace.metapress.com/content/53256517v45810x4/fulltext.pdf

About The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. The majority of AACE members are certified in Endocrinology and Metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. For more information about AACE, visit the AACE website at www.aace.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theaace or follow AACE on Twitter at www.twitter.com/theaace.