Postoperative Nursing Care of Gastric Bypass Patients

The incidence of morbid obesity is increasing epidemically in the United States. Multiple factors affect the disease process. Numerous methods have been used to treat morbid obesity. The current gold standard operation, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, has gained popularity. Because a variety of surgical procedures for weight loss are being performed and new procedures are being introduced, the delivery of specialized nursing care has come to the forefront. Nurses’ application of current nursing literature and standards of care for postoperative gastric bypass patients puts nurses in a pivotal position to affect both early and late outcomes of these patients after surgery. Morbid obesity is defined, and current treatment trends and postoperative complications are discussed. Recognition and identification of unique nursing considerations and use of critical thinking skills to best meet the needs of postoperative gastric bypass patients, including how obesity affects hemodynamic parameters and airway management, are highlighted. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2006;15:378-388)