Abstract: |
BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is a recommended treatment for diabetes in severely obese patients. Their immediate post-operative anti-hyperglycemic requirements differ from other hospitalized diabetics, yet no standardized protocols addressing glycemic control for this group exist. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to create a safe, easily implemented protocol for immediate post-operative glycemic control, which we defined as the first 30 days. METHODS: The protocol was designed by an interdisciplinary workgroup using review of available literature, approved institutional glycemic guidelines, and team members' experience with caring for bariatric surgery patients. RESULTS: Patients are offered post-discharge recommendations using the inpatient glycemic protocol. CONCLUSION: We designed a protocol with low risk of hypoglycemia that addresses the unique glycemic needs of diabetic bariatric population in the immediate post-operative period. |