A bariatric dietitian helps obese people understand and prepare for weight loss procedures and options, develop and stick to diet plans, and understand the role food plays in their physical and psychological lives. It is their responsibility to keep track of all aspects of the patient’s dietary and weight-loss treatment, as well as how the patient is progressing or not. Their work is similar to that of regular dietitians, but because bariatric dietitians only work with overweight people, they usually work in clinics and hospitals and collaborate more closely with physicians and surgeons.
A bariatric dietitian meets with the patient to assess their dietary and general health needs during the initial phase of treatment. They obtain basic information such as the patient’s weight and blood pressure, as well as discuss the patient’s eating habits and when he or she eats. The dietitian uses the results of the evaluation to help the patient set weight loss and health goals, such as losing a certain amount of weight. Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, he may recommend bariatric surgery, but this is usually reserved for the sickest and heaviest patients who require immediate results to avoid medical complications. If he does recommend a procedure, he makes sure the patient understands the risks, benefits, and steps of the procedure, as well as a dietary plan for both before and after the procedure, in collaboration with the patient’s doctor.
Dietitians who specialize in bariatrics determine what imbalances are present in a patient’s diet as part of the foundational work, which includes a broad examination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals. Because nutritional intake affects everything from hormones to hair growth and energy, this is just as important to the patient as weight loss. The bariatric dietitian creates a personalized meal plan for the patient based on the imbalances and overall goals. Because the dietician understands that the patient’s habits will take time to change and that the body will need time to adjust to healthier eating, he often uses graduated phases to implement the plan.
Bariatric dietitians must work with the patient’s doctor to determine the extent of the patient’s medical problems in order to create a customized dietary plan for them. During this conversation, the dietitian learns about the patient’s medications, if any, because changes in weight and diet can affect the effectiveness of certain medications, necessitating dosing adjustments. This means that, despite having a different specialty and thus lacking the expertise of a physician, the dietitian must have sufficient medical knowledge to understand the patient’s risks.
Another important aspect of a bariatric dietitian’s job is determining whether or not there are any psychological issues associated with the weight problems. The dietician must understand how the patient psychologically relies on food or has been affected by his weight because weight often contributes to lower self-esteem and plays a role in social interactions. If he believes it will benefit the patient, he may recommend a psychologist.
The bariatric dietitian assists in the coordination of various aspects of treatment while working with a patient. He might, for example, double-check his instructions with a hospital cafeteria or nurses, or schedule surgery for the patient based on progress reports. He’s also in charge of formally documenting the dietary plan, including a patient’s progress or decline.