Ostomy/wound management
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In the United States, 13 to 16 million people are morbidly obese to the extent that medical intervention, simply based on obesity-related comorbidities, is needed. The challenge of ostomy care and the very obese patient lies in the skill and planning required for successful physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. ⋯ Concerns regarding pain management, immobility, skin injury, respiratory issues, embolic threats, and caregiver injury increase when treating the obese patient and must be addressed specifically. A case study approach is used as a framework to discuss the ostomy experience.