The Brazilian Guidelines for Psychological Assistance in Metabolic and Obesity Surgery were officially launched on the third day of the conference

photo | SBCBM

Psychologists from several Brazilian states gathered on the third and final day of the event for the official launch of the Brazilian Guidelines for Psychological Assistance in Obesity and Metabolic Surgery.

The event, which was held on Friday morning (27), was characterized by dynamism in which all professionals in the region participated. A roulette game with themes related to preoperative psychological care was shown on the screen, and the audience was invited to comment on what should be done in each case according to the guidelines.

photo | SBCBM

Michelle Pereira, a psychologist from Brasilia, led the dynamics alongside psychologist Cicero Nunes Menezes. According to her, the launch of the guidelines represents a big growth moment for psychology as a field, but also for the entire interdisciplinary team in obesity surgery. “It is recognition not only from the psychologists themselves, but also from the surgeons and the entire multidisciplinary team that recognizes this work. And once psychology is recognized as well, other fields are recognized. We believe that these guidelines, this launch, will inspire other fields as well.” .

photo | SBCBM

Among the main topics covered by the guidelines are the number of sessions that should be performed in preoperative evaluation, factors that can affect adherence to treatment, how to relieve anxiety and stress caused by the surgical procedure, psychological contraindications to undergoing bariatric surgery, among others.

Psychologist Priscilla Gonçalves Bononi comments on the importance of guidelines in the daily work of the profession. “They help us a lot in our clinical practice, in evaluations, and in providing guidance to patients. The guidelines are valid precisely so that we can develop an action plan aimed at benefiting the patient during treatment. We can never rely on empirical evidence or evidence outside the context of treatment, and the principles come “This guidance really enables us to build a more appropriate view and provide more aggressive treatment for all patients.”