Objective: to apply the nursing process fundament on the Theory of Orem’ Self-care, through the conduct of a report of clinical case, with a patient submitted to bariatric surgery. Methods: this is about a descriptive study, from qualitative approach, report of clinical case type, performed in a patient with morbid obesity, included in Bariatric Surgery Group of a teaching hospital in João Pessoa-PB city. For data collection was used a script adapted to Theory of Orem’ Self-care, which led to the identification of deficits of self-care and therefore to nursing diagnoses. It was then developed the plan of nursing care, with the determination of goals, objectives, method of assistance, type of system and nursing interventions. This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital of the Federal University of Paraiba (054/07). Results: from the identification of nursing diagnoses was established and implemented the plan of nursing care with the aim of restoring the patient to prevent postoperative complications, promote recovery and prepare you for the self-care. Conclusion: it is considered that the application of the nursing process, based on Theory of Orem’ Self-care, enabled the provision of assistance and qualified individual, encouraging the patient to participate actively in their treatment, but also to increase their responsibility in the outcome of care. Descriptors: nursing; nursing process; self care; bariatric surgery.