Critical Care Management of the Obese Patient after Bariatric Surgery

The incidence of morbid obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate and with a worldwide distribution. Moreover, the rate of weight gain is increasing exponentially in the super-obese population, resulting in a rapidly expanding subcategory of patients who represent a very high perioperative risk due to the critical state of their comorbidities. Weight-loss surgery remains the most effective and durable therapeutic option for morbid obesity and all predictors indicate persistent demand for the foreseeable future. Although many technical and management advancements have enhanced the safety profile of bariatric surgery, there remains a recognized incidence of serious postoperative complications. Consequently, there will continue to be a need for critical-care resources for the occasional post-bariatric surgery patient.