Focused Incentive Spirometry Monitoring to Reduce Postoperative Oxygen Therapy and Respiratory Complications After Bariatric Surgery

Postoperative (PO) hypoventilation, atelectasis and hypoxemia after bariatric surgery are
common and multifactorial, contributing to prolonged oxygen (O2) therapy after surgery and
even at hospital discharge. Incentive spirometry (IS) is recommended postoperatively but its
success in preventing postoperative atelectasis and hypoxemia (POH) heavily depends on
patient compliance with IS effort and frequency. The investigators hypothesize that a focused
education preoperatively on IS for POH and intensive monitoring of patient compliance with IS
therapy in the early postoperative period shortens postoperative oxygen therapy, decreases
POH episodes, and improves respiratory outcomes after bariatric surgery, compared to patients
receiving standard of care.