Bariatric surgery: complexities and pathways to care for obesity in the SUS

Abstract

This essay aims to analyze how the Unified Health System (SUS) has dealt with the increase in obesity  with indication for bariatric surgery in Brazil, and to  point out pathways to provide comprehensive health  care for such population. There was a rescue of the  political-historic moment of epistemological  transformation of obesity and its repercussions for  individuals, society, the health system, and other  sectors; some attacks suffered by the SUS were  exposed, especially the most recent ones, which affect the already difficult access to bariatric surgery; and it  reflect on strategies that seek to guarantee care for  that population and the sustainability of the health  system. The documents produced by the Ministry of  Health to guide obesity care stand out, given their  consonance with the most current scientific evidence,  and their use by other countries in the construction of their policies. Furthermore, it is reinforced the  importance of sharing responsibilities among all the  actors involved; the regulation of advertising aimed at the public with obesity; the mandatory increase in SUS funding; and the use of health evaluation of policies,  services, and actions, so that the necessary  adjustments are made in a timely manner and  guarantee a better management of health care.