Clinical pathways in the management of the obese: Pre- and postoperative aspects
Abstract
ntroduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) leads to substantial weight loss accompanied by reversal of several obesity-related co-morbidities and reduced mortality. However, surgery is associated with risks and its nearly irreversible characteristic requires a clearly established pre- and postoperative clinical pathway. In France, this pathway relies on recommendations made by the High Authority of Health (Haute Autorité de santé (HAS)) in 2009; an update is awaited in 2023. Preoperative aspects: BS should be proposed only after failure of well-conducted medical treatment and is intended for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is ≥ 40 kg/m2 or for those with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 who also have co-morbidities amenable to improvement, and in whom there are no contra-indications, particularly, those related to general anesthesia or psychological factors. The success and safety of surgical management requires preparation of the patient with regard to dietetic and nutritional counseling, and physical activity. The possibility of complications must be recognized and communicated, including, in view of the large variability of outcomes between individuals, the risk of failure and regain of weight. Postoperative aspects: Prior to the operation, patients should be informed of and accept the program of postoperative clinical and laboratory follow-up, as well as the need for lifelong supplementation in micronutrients and the financial implications including what patients may have to pay out of their own pocket. Conclusion: Surgical management of obesity cannot replace the multidisciplinary medical management of severe obesity. The results obtained by BS are sustainable only if the patient adheres to the proposed modalities. New drugs such a GLP-1 analogues have opened encouraging perspectives as possible alternatives to BS in certain indications.
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BibTeX
@article{guillerme2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical pathways in the management of the obese: Pre- and postoperative aspects}},
author = {Sterenn Guillerme and Jacques Delarue and Jérémie Thereaux},
journal = {Journal of Visceral Surgery},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2022.12.009},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05753494v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical pathways in the management of the obese: Pre- and postoperative aspects
AU - Sterenn Guillerme
AU - Jacques Delarue
AU - Jérémie Thereaux
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
JO - Journal of Visceral Surgery
DO - 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2022.12.009
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05753494v1
AB - ntroduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) leads to substantial weight loss accompanied by reversal of several obesity-related co-morbidities and reduced mortality. However, surgery is associated with risks and its nearly irreversible characteristic requires a clearly established pre- and postoperative clinical pathway. In France, this pathway relies on recommendations made by the High Authority of Health (Haute Autorité de santé (HAS)) in 2009; an update is awaited in 2023. Preoperative aspects: BS should be proposed only after failure of well-conducted medical treatment and is intended for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is ≥ 40 kg/m2 or for those with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 who also have co-morbidities amenable to improvement, and in whom there are no contra-indications, particularly, those related to general anesthesia or psychological factors. The success and safety of surgical management requires preparation of the patient with regard to dietetic and nutritional counseling, and physical activity. The possibility of complications must be recognized and communicated, including, in view of the large variability of outcomes between individuals, the risk of failure and regain of weight. Postoperative aspects: Prior to the operation, patients should be informed of and accept the program of postoperative clinical and laboratory follow-up, as well as the need for lifelong supplementation in micronutrients and the financial implications including what patients may have to pay out of their own pocket. Conclusion: Surgical management of obesity cannot replace the multidisciplinary medical management of severe obesity. The results obtained by BS are sustainable only if the patient adheres to the proposed modalities. New drugs such a GLP-1 analogues have opened encouraging perspectives as possible alternatives to BS in certain indications.
SN - 1878-7886
ER -