Proposal for a multidisciplinary approach to the patient with morbid obesity: the St. Franciscus Hospital morbid obesity program.

Abstract

Morbid obesity is a serious disease as it is accompanied by substantial co-morbidity and mortality. The prevalence is increasing to an alarming extent, in Europe as well as in the United States. In the past few decades, bariatric surgery has developed and gained importance. It currently represents the only long-lasting therapy for this group of patients, resulting in an efficient reduction in body weight and obesity-related medical conditions, mostly cardiovascular in nature. The importance of a standardized protocol, the use of selection criteria, and a multidisciplinary approach have been stressed but not yet described in detail. Therefore, in this article, the multidisciplinary approach and the treatment protocol that have been applied in our hospital for more than 20 years are set out in a detailed manner. The application of a strict protocol may help to select and follow-up motivated patients and to organize multidisciplinary research activities.