Obesity surgery
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Most bariatric surgery patients are triaged directly to the medical surgical floor postoperatively. However, patients at high risk due to comorbid factors, who have failed postoperative extubation or have suffered intraoperative complication, may require intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate-level care (IMC). ⋯ Traditional approaches to nursing care require new thought when dealing with the massively obese. Our experiences with the special needs of these critically ill morbidly obese bariatric surgery patients are described.