Obesity Management Team

Obesity management is a multidisciplinary task involving not only your skills and expertise, but also those of other healthcare professionals. Some will be referring physicians. Others may be your staff members or consultants working in your office on a limited basis. A complete obesity management team should include the following¹:

• Bariatric Surgeon
• Anesthesiologist
  Surgery in the morbidly obese is a potentially high-risk procedure as there are pathophysiological changes induced by morbid obesity that complicate patient management during anesthesia. Therefore, the anesthesiologist must be thoroughly familiar with the unique problems created by obesity, the LAP-BAND^® System procedure, and possible complications
• Radiologist
  Postoperative percutaneous stoma adjustment is a feature/benefit of the LAP-BAND^® System. The radiologist must be acquainted with the adjustment procedure and other features of the LAP-BAND^® System
• Referring Physician (Primary Care Practitioner or Specialist)
  The role of the referring physician includes but is not limited to: recognition of the need for weight loss surgery, preoperative testing, information exchanges, postoperative care, and answering patient questions. The referring physician must be familiar with the obese patient and with the nonsurgical and surgical options
• Endoscopist
  The major function of endoscopy prior to LAP-BAND^® System surgery is to detect the presence of anatomical particularities and pathologies of the upper GI tract. Some pathologies may delay or even contraindicate the procedure. Endoscopy is also important postoperatively for identification of certain complications
• Psychiatrist, Psychologist
  Preoperative psychological testing is helpful in order to determine personality structure and behavior, detect psychological contraindications, and assess the need for postoperative psychological follow-up. The support the patient receives following surgery must be specifically designed with the LAP-BAND^® System patient in mind
• Dietician
  Patient compliance with the required dietary modifications following the LAP-BAND^® System surgery is a vital factor in achieving successful outcomes
• Nurse, Patient Liaison, Patient Educator
  These individuals are frequently the front line of contact with the patient. They provide explanations, education, reinforcement, praise, recognition, comfort, trouble-shooting and advocacy for the patient
• Physiotherapist (Exercise Therapists/Trainers)
  Establishing a habit of regular physical exercise is important in promoting long-term success for the LAP-BAND^® System patient. A physiotherapist can create customized exercise programs for your patients
• Billing/Insurance Manager
  Patients often rely on their insurance provider to help them access safe and effective medical treatment. At times this process can be difficult, complicated, and physically and emotionally draining. Billing managers should be able to assist patients with coverage and, if necessary, financing their procedures

Once patients have undergone surgery, they will need to be followed closely–both by you and the bariatric surgeon. Check-ups with their bariatric surgeon are an expected and essential part of the LAP-BAND^® System follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month and every 4 to 12 weeks for the first year. Adjustments are performed during some of these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every 3 to 6 months during the second and third year, depending on the individual case.