Wouter Leclercq

Preoperative education and informed consent in young adults undergoing bariatric surgery: Patient perspectives on current practice 77 5 INTRODUCTION With the increase of morbid obese adolescents and young adults, more bariatric procedures are performed on these patients. 1-8 The positive effects of bariatric surgery on weight loss and remission of comorbidities in adolescents and young adults are comparable to adults. 6-8 Furthermore, quality of life, confidence and self-esteem improve after bariatric surgery in adolescents and young adults. 6-9 Colquitt et al. stated that young adults might have a greater benefit, because they have a longer period to obtain it, if weight loss and positive effects on comorbidity remain. 10 For every surgical procedure a patient should give permission after being educated about the treatment, a process called surgical informed consent (SIC). 11-12 This process consists of three separate elements with their specific items (Figure 5.1). 12 A well-executed SIC increases the chance that a patient has realistic expectations of the effects of the treatment, sufficiently understands the reasons for treatment, will be able to deal with complications and might have a more effective participation in his/her own care. 13-16 3. Stage of consent - Patient consenting to the surgical procedure - Recording of this authorization - Patient education - Recommendation of a care plan - Understanding of this information by the patient 2. Provision of information - Patient competence and voluntariness 1. Assessment of preconditions Figure 5.1 Items of informed consent. 12