Background

The disease of obesity is isolating. With only 1% of qualifying patients undergoing surgery, people believe their obesity is a decision, not a disease. How can the rate of obesity treatment grow, and how can post-operative patient-engagement rates improve? The COVID-19 pandemic caused exponential growth in bariatric social media and patients accessing support on these platforms. However, patients self-report negative interactions on these platforms and express the need for private, peer-centered communities where expert information can be delivered, organized, and stored. We surveyed 65 members of the BariNation Membership Community to understand how and why they were using peer-led communities in the pre-op and post-op stages. Our survey showed that 95% of respondents reported feeling connected and found a sense of belonging, which increased their involvement with their surgeon-provided post-operative care opportunities. 100% of pre-operative respondents said that the community's support helped them adhere to their pre-operative diet and follow through with their scheduled procedures. 76% of respondents said they found licensed and credentialed professionals for the care their surgical team could not offer. Like other diseases, obesity requires many adjunct treatments if the patient is to find and maintain a healthy weight. Our survey found that peer and expert-led community support can and should be integral to the combined treatment plan. It shows an increase in the number of people accessing obesity treatment who continue to interact with their medical team once primary treatment has begun.