THE RIGHT TO REPAIRING SURGERIES FOR BARIATRIC PATIENTS BY THE UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM – SUS

Abstract

Post-bariatric reconstructive surgery is an essential procedure for patients who, after bariatric surgery, face excess skin and sagging, compromising their quality of life and health. Despite being a right guaranteed by the Unified Health System (SUS), access to this intervention is still marked by difficulties, such as high demand, scarcity of resources and slow service delivery. Given this context, this study aims to analyze the challenges and legal aspects of the right to reconstructive surgeries for bariatric patients through the SUS, as well as the impacts of the judicialization of this access. The research was conducted through a bibliographic review and documentary analysis, using sources such as legislation, case law and academic studies on the subject. The main results indicate that, although the legislation ensures the right to reconstructive surgery, its implementation faces structural and bureaucratic limitations, leading many patients to resort to the Judiciary. Although judicialization guarantees access to the procedure in many cases, it highlights the inefficiency of the public health system in providing these services in an equitable manner. It is concluded that expanding the supply of reconstructive surgeries in the SUS depends on investments in infrastructure, professional training and more effective public policies, reducing the need for judicial intervention to guarantee a right that is already legally recognized.