Bariatric services must provide follow-up care and exercise advice, says NICE

People who have bariatric surgery should receive a follow-up care package for at least two years, including psychological support and help to increase physical activity.

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This is one of the recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in a quality standard published on 4 August.

The document is aimed at commissioners and sets out a series of standards on the clinical assessment and management of obesity in children, young people and adults.

It states that poor follow-up care after bariatric surgery can lead to weight regain, depression, nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, anaemia and death.

As a result NICE suggests that bariatric surgery services should provide follow-up care that includes

  • specialist physical activity
  • psychological screening
  • dietary advice

CSP professional adviser Priya Dasoju told Frontline: ‘The CSP welcomes this standard and believes physiotherapy staff have a key role in delivering on the recommendations, in particular providing lifestyle and physical activity advice.’

Author: Robert Millett

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