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Examination of bariatric surgery Facebook support groups: a content analysis
Afton M Koball1, Dylan J Jester2, Sarah E Domoff3
1Department of Behavioral Health, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Summary
Online bariatric surgery support groups on Facebook primarily involve sharing information and offering peer support. While common, discussions on mental health and eating behaviors are less frequent in these popular patient communities.
Area of Science:
- Bariatric Surgery Outcomes
- Online Health Communities
- Social Media in Healthcare
Background:
- Post-bariatric surgery support is crucial for long-term success.
- Patients increasingly use online platforms, particularly Facebook, for support.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the content within these online bariatric surgery groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a content analysis of bariatric surgery support groups and pages on Facebook.
Main Methods:
- Content from bariatric surgery-related Facebook groups was analyzed over one month in 2016.
- Over 6,800 posts and replies were coded for salient themes.
- Reliable coding (κ > .70) was used for themes like progress, depression, and eating behaviors.
Main Results:
- The most common post types included seeking/providing recommendations (64% combined), commenting on post-surgery changes (19%), and offering support (32%).
- Content related to anxiety, eating behaviors, depression, body image, weight bias, and alcohol was less frequent.
- Facebook groups serve as platforms for sharing experiences and seeking advice related to the bariatric lifestyle.
Conclusions:
- Online bariatric surgery groups facilitate support, celebrate achievements, and offer insights into the 'bariatric lifestyle'.
- These platforms also address challenges like mental health and weight bias.
- Healthcare providers should understand the content of these groups and use caution when recommending them to patients seeking information.
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