Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2023

Supports, beliefs, expectations and concerns of people seeking bariatric surgery (97562)

Sally Badorrek 1 2 , Janet Franklin 3 , Michael Devadas 2 4 , Rachel Russell 5 , Emily Puckeridge 5 , Marijka Batterham 6 , Kathryn Williams 1 2
  1. Charles Perkins Centre-Nepean, University of Sydney, Kingswood, NSW, Australia
  2. Nepean Family Metabolic Health Service , Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, NSW, Australia
  3. Metabolism and Obesity Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Nepean and Blacktown Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Metabolic Obesity Service, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
  6. Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Introduction

Comprehensive information on support needs and desired outcomes following bariatric surgery from a patient perspective are not available in the Australian context.

Methods

A prospective cohort study is being conducted with participants from four obesity surgery services. An online questionnaire was administered pre-surgery and 12 months post-surgery. Demographics, anthropometry, use of social and support networks and expectations and concerns about bariatric surgery were recorded.

Results

Of 180 participants pre-surgery, 79% were female, mean age was 43 years (SD 11.6), mean BMI 45.2 kg/m2 (SD 8.5), 54% had completed tertiary education. Although 89% knew people with a history of bariatric surgery, only 40% felt influenced by them to have surgery. Information on bariatric surgery was sourced mainly via the internet (69.4%) and GPs (63%). Reasons for surgery include improved general health (96%) and quality of life (90%). Moderate to very concerned ratings were indicated for excess skin (97%), weight regain (91%) and hair loss (78%). Lack of time (52%) and stress (61%) were reported as the biggest barriers to previous weight loss attempts. At 12-months of the 63 with data, only 22% indicated that they were at their desired weight, however 62% indicated that surgery had met their desired outcomes. Concerns about hair loss had decreased to 52%, excess skin to 69% and weight regain to 82%.

Family members were considered most supportive pre and 12-months post-surgery.

 

Conclusions

In this cohort, people undertaking bariatric surgery sought information from the internet and their GPs, and support from family. They weren’t influenced by acquaintances with past bariatric surgery. Reasons for bariatric surgery were to improve general health and quality of life. Weight regain, excess skin and hair loss posed the most concern pre-surgery, however, these concerns were reduced at 12 months. Desired weight loss was not achieved by most at 12-months.