Retention and transition to adult health care in adolescent bariatric surgery

Abstract

The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend bariatric surgery as a treatment option for severe obesity. Bariatric surgery results in weight loss and improves obesity-related comorbidities. After surgery, adolescents and young adults require close observation and interdisciplinary care to help optimize weight loss, minimize nutrient deficiencies, address mental or physical health complications, and ensure a smooth transition to adult care. Yet, the extant literature on adherence and transition of care in bariatric programs is limited. Using 3 case studies from 2 bariatric programs, one on retention and 2 on transition of care, this paper highlights learning opportunities for care delivery after bariatric surgery. A quality improvement framework and an embedded electronic medical health registry can improve retention rates within a bariatric program. In addition, implementing a workflow ensures standardization of care; however, a key challenge is inadequate staffing. The programs established a transition of care policy and protocol by incorporating several of the Six Core Elements, a recognized guide for ensuring a safe and appropriate transfer from pediatric to adult care. Several research gaps remain, and further work is needed to determine and standardize best practices for adolescent bariatric surgery.