The Bariatric-Metabolic Physician’s Role in Managing Clinically Severe Obesity

Coelho, Claudia; Crane, James; Agius, Rachel; McGowan, Barbara

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to outline the obesity physician’s role in managing patients with severe obesity with a particular emphasis on bariatric surgery candidates. RECENT FINDINGS: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing and progressive disease. Scoring systems that evaluate the severity of obesity based on the clinical assessment, rather than the Body Mass Index, are a valuable tool. The clinical assessment should explore the underlying contributors for weight gain and screen for obesity-related complications. Bariatric surgery remains the most effective management approach for severe and complex obesity. Nevertheless, pharmacotherapy and other non-surgical approaches play an important role. SUMMARY: The bariatric-metabolic physician’s role is paramount in delivering effective care to patients with obesity. The multiple complications of patients with clinically severe obesity highlight the complexity of their management and reinforce the need for adequate assessment and long-term follow-up to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.