How would one go about specializing in bariatric medicine and the management of obese patients and complications of obesity such as cvd, dm, htn. etc?

How would one go about specializing in bariatric medicine and the management of obese patients and complications of obesity such as cvd, dm, htn. etc?

Become an internist! Seriously, cad, CHF, htn, and DM are the most common diseases seen in IM. Also, COPD. As the population continues to increase in size and number, we'll see more DM, HTN and CAD. I don't think there is any formal training for bariatrics specifically. If you want to work with obese patients, advertize to that market when setting up your practice, and follow the literature.

Seriously, "bariatric medicine -- for times when having 95% of your practice be obese is not enough".

If you want to work with obese patients, advertize to that market when setting up your practice, and follow the literature.

In other words, set up shop in the South or Midwest

Seriously, "bariatric medicine -- for times when having 95% of your practice be obese is not enough".


Seriously! :lol:

Or, you could just move to Chicago (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-01-06-fittest-city_x.htm). ;)

Thanks guys for your comments. I've seen IM doctors with board certification in bariatric medicine advertising on the internet who work for wt. loss center, and weight management wellness centers with bariatric surgeons. They also manage pre/postop complications. Are there any IM programs that specifically cater to wt/nutritional managemnt in order to get the training to take the Bariatric medicine board exam?

If I recall one of the big bariatric gurus in these parts is an endocrinologist.