Back on Track: Confronting Post-Surgical Weight Gain

Abstract

The battle against obesity is a lifelong journey. Surgery can be an effective intervention; however, many patients experience post-surgical weight regain. At a large, urban health care system in Virginia performing bariatric surgeries, it was determined that a focused intervention was needed to target this weight regain in many patients. Thus, an 8-week pilot group therapy intervention was implemented to help these patients get “Back on Track.” Groups combined cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing to address the specific needs of these participants. Fourteen female Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery patients who were at least 18 months post surgery completed the 8-week program in two separate groups. Participants reported difficulty coping with the return of food cravings and challenging eating behaviors after a period of relative relief following surgery. Participants rated peer support as a highly valuable component of group and reported significant behavioral changes, enhanced motivation and confidence, and weight loss as a result of participating in group. Results provide preliminary support for the use of this type of group in long-term post–bariatric surgical patients. Further, participant feedback suggests that earlier intervention may be warranted. Themes that arose in the groups and future directions for implementing and evaluating this type of intervention are discussed.