Digital Preparation for Bariatric Surgery: Feasability Pilot Trial

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is in increasing demand due to the growing prevalence of severe obesity and the cumulating evidence of long-term benefits on weight loss, cardiometabolic and functional health outcomes, and quality of life for individuals living with severe obesity. The time spent on the waiting list for an MBS follow the same trend with an estimated waiting time of more than 18 months and rising. The lack of resources and multidisciplinary capabilities among MBS centers impacts the quality of care and outcomes, which greatly contributes to delayed surgery. In 2023, 31% of patients who had an initial appointment with the MBS nurse at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University(IUCPQ) did not proceed with the surgery due to fear, uncertainty, or timing issues. Additionally, 49% reported that their concerns (e.g., financial, home support) were not addressed before MBS. These data highlight the urgent need to implement strategies to optimize wait time and ensure that MBS preparation is tailored to patients' expectations. Telehealth has significantly impacted surgical preparation, including for MBS, by enhancing accessibility, reducing dropout rates, and maintaining clinical outcomes that are comparable to traditional in-person visits but it requires real-time multidisciplinary execution, limiting the applicability for MBS waiting list patients. An interesting complement to telehealth intervention is online education platforms which offer digital flexibility, a significant advantage over in-person session. To date, most MBS online resources are fee-based or driven by commercial interests and lack of clinical evidence, which raises concerns about their efficacy and safety for users who are seeking reliable support during their MBS journey. A free online education platform could optimize the time spent on the MBS waiting list by increasing patients' readiness for MBS, furnishing invaluable insights into the patient journey to MBS, and emp