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. 2024 Dec;34(12):4499-4508.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-024-07539-0. Epub 2024 Oct 21.

The Role of Informal Social Support for Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Sophia A Gutterman  1 , Dan N Dinh  2 , Sarah E Bradley  2   3 , Rachel A Ross  3 , C Ann Vitous  2 , Nabeel R Obeid  2   3 , Oliver A Varban  3   4 , Pasithorn A Suwanabol  5
Affiliations

The Role of Informal Social Support for Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Sophia A Gutterman et al. Obes Surg. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgery is underutilized as a treatment for metabolic disease and its associated comorbidities. While social support is known to play a crucial role in outcomes following bariatric surgery, little is known about the role of social support prior to surgery, which may impact preparedness for and willingness to undergo surgery. The study's objective was to examine the role of informal social support prior to bariatric surgery, the types of support received, and patient attitudes toward different demonstrations of support.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients who had previously undergone bariatric surgery (n = 20) from two high-volume bariatric surgery centers. Interviews focused on patient engagement with and attitudes about social support during the preoperative process. Transcripts from each interview were iteratively analyzed through steps informed by deductive and inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Four major themes emerged characterizing social support among patients undergoing bariatric surgery: (1) emotional support, (2) instrumental support, (3) informational support, and (4) self-support. Examples of meaningful support participants received included "cheerleading" (i.e., unconditional encouragement), advice from role models who had previously undergone surgery (e.g., receiving information on the process), shared experiences with loved ones regarding dietary and activity modifications (e.g., exercising with friends), and self-support measures (e.g., seeking therapy).

Conclusions: A comprehensive understanding of how patients receive informal social support can offer valuable insights for individuals considering surgery. Further, such knowledge may enable providers to effectively counsel patients through the decision-making process and to ensure the establishment of support systems both pre- and post-surgery.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Metabolic surgery; Patient support; Preoperative support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical Approval: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Consent to Participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Competing Interests: Dr. Obeid & Dr. Varban receive honorarium from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for leadership and participation in the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative.

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