Impact of COVID-19 on the Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patient Experience

Area of Science:

• Bariatric surgery outcomes
• Public health
• Patient experience

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare and daily routines across the United States.
• The specific impact of the pandemic on the postoperative experience of bariatric surgery patients remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient and healthcare provider perceptions of how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) influenced weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery.
• To explore the effects of the pandemic on dietary habits, physical activity, and follow-up care in the bariatric surgery population.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semistructured interviews with 34 participants (24 bariatric surgery patients, 6 primary care providers, 4 health psychologists) between April and November 2020.
• Utilized secondary analysis of interview data, guided by Torain's Surgical Disparities Model and Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.
• Employed conventional content analysis to identify themes related to the pandemic's impact on postoperative bariatric surgery care.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the postoperative bariatric surgery experience through three primary mechanisms.
• Disruption of dietary and physical activity routines occurred due to facility closures and fear of virus exposure.
• Telemedicine became the primary mode for follow-up care, while financial and psychosocial challenges increased patient stress.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the vulnerability of bariatric surgery patients.
• Ongoing support is crucial for patients to access mental health services, re-establish physical activity, and address food insecurity.
• The findings underscore the need for continued attention to the psychosocial and logistical challenges faced by bariatric surgery patients during and after the pandemic.