Authors: John B Dixon
Publish Date: 2008/11/13
Volume: 19, Issue: 5, Pages: 641-644
Abstract
Indications for bariatric surgery have been clear for some time and many would say that they are conservative Unfortunately few eligible candidates seek or are referred for bariatric surgery with less than 1 currently treated annually In recent years the evidence base supporting surgical therapy has strengthened with demonstrable improvements in both safety and efficacy We now have evidence of remarkable improvements in health quality of life and increased life expectancy There is continued frustration with the poor efficacy of nonsurgical therapies and no indication that this is about to change A caring physician should as best care refer the seriously ill morbidly obese patient for a surgical opinion It is no different from their obligation to adequately manage type2 diabetes depression or unstable angina Currently even discussion of a surgical referral is optional It is time we articulated and defined a group of patients where referral for a surgical opinion is no longer merely an option but a physician’s responsibility as best care for the patient It is time to provide leadership towards the delivery of better care for these patients
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