From Prehab to Rehab: The Functional Restoration of a Bariatric Individual

Abstract

The bariatric population presents at a greater risk for functional decline with increasing weight and advancing age. This can be prevented at various time points through multidisciplinary rehabilitation interventions in a multitude of different settings to accommodate the severity of an individuals’ disability and to target different functional goals. Bariatric rehabilitation is a multipronged approach that addresses the ongoing functional impairment, medical comorbidities, hospital-related deconditioning and prevents future cardiovascular and musculoskeletal complications from progressing. The emerging concept of utilising rehabilitation interventions and goal-centric approach as means to reduce post-operative complications and enhance surgical outcomes is also discussed. Pragmatic approaches to post-surgical bariatric rehabilitation are discussed highlighting the multi-faceted rehabilitation concerns to achieve optimal functionality in the face of a chronic medical condition.