Bariatric surgery is one of the fastest growing sectors of healthcare today with the number of procedures having risen 24% since 2011 1 . Obesity is recognized as a major cardiovascular risk factor and it is of paramount importance that these individuals be properly risk-stratified to ensure the safety and success of surgery. CPET is ideal for this patient population and should be the cornerstone of the pre-op evaluation process. CPET provides direct measurement of peak VO2, anaerobic threshold, and detection of sub-clinical cardiac dysfunction from metabolic syndrome. The use of a recumbent stationary cycle enables increased access to the service. CPET does not force the patient to exceed their comfort level of speed and grade and they can discontinue the test at any point. CPET performed on a stationary cycle is also a safer mode of exercise testing with the published rates of cardiovascular events on a cycle reported to be 1/10th that of a treadmill 2 .

Peak VO2 and the anaerobic threshold (AT) have been used in risk stratification and pre-operative clearance in many settings 3,4,5 . There is also published research looking directly at bariatric populations for this purpose 6 . MET-TEST has been working with a high volume bariatric surgery site to refine risk assessment and reporting to ensure the best outcomes. This has resulted in a custom management algorithm producing outstanding results. For the continued success of a bariatric procedure, it is imperative that post-operative lifestyle changes be maintained. MET-TEST includes a personalized exercise prescription with each report. This prescription provides individualized exercise heart rate zones that are safe and effective in increasing peak VO2 from baseline 7 . Proper exercise prescription in conjunction with proper diet monitoring can help to limit the loss of muscle seen after surgery and help the individual maintain a lower/healthier weight long-term.

"One thing that distinguishes your services from your competitors is your ability to make recommendations to primary care doctors and develop accurate cardiovascular exercise prescriptions from real data obtained during CPET. I’ve seen other company’s clearances and they do not offer any of that information. I know you made mention of this, but it’s very important that everyone understand how refined your algorithms and clinical recommendations are tailored to the continuing aftercare for patients not only prior to surgery but after as well. While other companies are only concerned with getting patients surgical clearance, MET-TEST allows all Physicians and Surgeons the accurate data they need to make clinical decisions based on sound science and patient physiology." - My Bariatric Solutions Ft. Worth, TX