Structured Lifestyle Modification Prior to Bariatric Surgery: How Much is Enough?

Many healthcare systems require patients to participate in a structured lifestyle modification programme prior to bariatric surgery, even though bariatric consensus guidelines do not recommend this. While there is good evidence that such programmes improve health in other conditions such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, there is no evidence that they improve outcomes after bariatric surgery. The distinction needs to be drawn between the well-established need for individualised multidisciplinary dietetic and physical activity care for bariatric surgical patients and the potential harms from mandating participation in compulsory structured lifestyle programmes of fixed duration, frequency and intensity, which may delay surgery, reinforce obesity stigma, or both. Large clinical trials might help to address some of the uncertainty and provide an evidence base for clinicians and policymakers.