Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in times of COVID

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in times of COVID-19

The following article presents general considerations in relation to the practice of bariatric and metabolic surgery in times of COVID-19. These considerations are based on evidence and recommendations from national and international schools.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Bariatric and metabolic surgery SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A HIGH PRIORITY. A high priority surgery is one that must be carried out as soon as possible because it brings important benefits to the patient's health status. Another example of high priority surgery is oncological surgery.
Bariatric and metabolic surgery SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED PURELY AESTHETIC SURGERY. Although it is true that important aesthetic benefits are achieved in bariatric and metabolic surgery, the main contribution is in the state of health, combating comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in people with COVID19 infection.
MORBIDORTALITY FROM COVID-19 DECREASES WITH Bariatric and metabolic SURGERY, but it does not prevent the risk of infection. If a person is not properly cared for, they have the same chance of getting COVID-19 with or without surgery. However, when a person undergoes surgery, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other diseases that cause mortality in COVID-19 improve. Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 decreases by 12% for each point less in body mass index.
COVID-19 CASES WILL CONTINUE TO BE REPORTED, for a long period of time in Mexico and the world. Regardless of the surgery, measures to prevent the risk of contagion will continue to be present for a long period of time (it is not possible to specify how long). It is necessary to get used to this new reality.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR SURGERY

FILL OUT COVID CLINICAL HISTORY. It is necessary to know your history of symptoms related to COVID, such as cough, fever, body cramps, among others. In addition to the risk of proximity to someone with COVID. We know that this simple measure is capable of ruling out more than 80% of people with disease. If you are positive for any of these symptoms or risk factors, your surgery will have to be rescheduled at least 1 month later.
TEST FOR COVID. To have surgery, you will have to have a chest x-ray and a PCR or rapid test for COVID 3 days before your surgery. The test to be performed will be indicated by your medical coordinator. After taking the test, total isolation is necessary. This measure will help us rule out if you are a carrier of the disease and also if you have data compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia.
ONLY ONE FAMILY MEMBER AS A COMPANION. Only one family member will be allowed into the hospital. This measure has the objective of taking care of you, your family and the medical staff; the less contact there is, the lower the possibility of contagion.
FACE MASK. Since November 2022, the recommendation of the World Health Organization is the use of face masks optionally, however using it is still a recommended (not mandatory) measure by our institution.
SAFETY MEASURES IN HOSPITALIZATION AND OPERATING ROOM. You must be sure that during your hospitalization and in the operating room all safety measures will be taken to prevent the risk of contagion between medical staff and patient or vice versa. The medical staff will be carrying out diagnostic tests to know that they are free of COVID on a constant basis.
REST AT HOME FOR 1 WEEK. Although we know that after bariatric surgery a person can return to their activities in less than 1 week, the recommendation in times of COVID is to take 1 week to be at home, this will reduce the risk of contagion in the first week after your surgery. .
FOLLOW UP BY VIDEO CALL OR PHONE. After your bariatric and metabolic surgery you will have the same follow-up by the nutrition, psychology, coordination, fitness coach team, however whenever possible it will be done by video call or by phone. If it is necessary to see it in person, the team will be available to do so.
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