Informed consent issues in the conduct of bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The goals of this article are to set forth the principles involved in obtaining informed consent in the context of bariatric surgery and to change the widely held perception that proper informed consent is an empty paper exercise. The ever-expanding use of bariatric procedures is associated with a profusion of data regarding the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes. It is now possible for physicians who perform bariatric surgery to know the reported data on the morbidity, mortality, and rehospitalization rates. Communicating this information to prospective patients is necessary for the process of informed consent.
METHODS: A literature review of the work done in the areas of informed consent as it relates to bariatric procedures was performed to provide state-of-the-art information of this important topic.
RESULTS: Ethically, the concept of informed consent arises from the deep-rooted American respect for the independence of one's right to decide what is or is not done to one's body. Legally, the physician has two duties: to obtain consent and to provide information to allow the consent to be informed. The elements required for proper disclosure and consent have been codified by a variety of professional organizations.
CONCLUSION: Done properly, informed consent allows patients to have a more realistic expectation of the outcome and could also allow more effective participation in their own care. We conclude with possible directions for additional research, improvement of the consent process, and the inclusion of new technologies as they arise.