Preconference: Masters Course in Behavioral Health / Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 11 (2015) S49–S55
operative intervention due to attrition during the preoperative
preparation program.
Methods: We examined the retrospective attrition rate data among
patients entering the preoperative program during two three month
time frames (July-Sept and Oct-Dec).We compared that to data
collected after integrating Dedicated Psychological Support (DPS)
during a three month time frame (Jan-March). The aim of the
examination was to assess if DPS had any impact on attrition.
Results: Overall, a patient was about 3 times more likely to remain
in the preoperative program with DPS involvement than without.
The integration of DPS services resulted in an average percent
decrease in attrition rates of 39%.Post-info session and postprogram start attrition rates were (31%, 25%) and (41%, 10%) for
2014–July-Sept and Oct-Dec, respectively. After DPS involvement, attrition rates at both time points decreased to 25% and 3%,
respectively.
Conclusions: There are many variables that can impact patient’s
reasons for dropping out of a bariatric surgery preoperative
program.However, by implementing general DPS into a bariatric
surgery preoperative preparation program the rate of attrition can
be decreased.Further study identifying unique variables that can be
targeted by DPS, both pre and post surgery, should be undertaken.
A193
A PILOT STUDY TO ASSESS FEASIBILITY,
ACCEPTABILITY, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A
REMOTELY-DELIVERED INTERVENTION TO
ADDRESS WEIGHT REGAIN AFTER BARIATRIC
SURGERY
Lauren Bradley, MS1; Evan Forman, PhD1;
Stephanie Kerrigan, MS1; Stephanie Goldstein, BS1;
Meghan Butryn, PhD1; Graham Thomas, PhD2;
James Herbert, PhD1; David Sarwer, PhD3; 1Drexel University,
Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2Brown University, The Miriam Hospital,
Providence, RI; 3University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,
USA
Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity.
Unfortunately, most patients regain some weight over time and,
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approximately 20–30% regain significant amounts of weight that
can negatively impact the health benefits typically associated with
bariatric surgery. Many authorities attribute weight regain to poor
compliance to postsurgical dietary prescriptions and have suggested that lifestyle modification interventions hold promise in
promoting long-term weight maintenance. At the same time, many
bariatric patients engage in infrequent follow up with the bariatric
program, making the delivery of these interventions difficult. One
way to overcome this barrier is to deliver these interventions
remotely (i.e., via Internet and/or telephone). Remote-based
interventions have been shown to be effective for numerous health
issues, including weight loss, but such interventions have not yet
been examined in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
The current, open trial aimed to evaluate a 10-week behavioralbased intervention delivered via Internet modules and telephone
check-ins to reverse weight regain. Participants were 16 men and
women at least 1.5 years out from surgery who reported
experiencing a weight regain trajectory (i.e., regain of at least
10% of maximum weight loss). Participants were mostly White
(81.3%) females (81.3%), with a mean age of 54.3 ± 12.1 years
and mean BMI of 39.1 ± 6.9 kg/m2. The intervention was adapted
from an in-person, group version of this program and consisted of
behavioral and psychological strategies aimed at increasing
adherence to weight control behaviors. Ten weekly sessions were
delivered through an interactive e-learning platform (i.e., Articulate) hosted on Coursesites (a popular e-learning platform). Each
module included video presentation of material synchronized with
a slideshow illustrating session material, written material of high
visual interest (including figures, tables), interactive exercises,
examples of other “patients” utilizing presented skills in the
moment, quizzes that aimed to support participants’ understanding
of the material, and directed assignments to be completed throughout the week. The program appeared to be feasible and acceptable,
with nearly 70% retention over the 10 weeks and a high mean rating
(4.7 out of 5.0) of satisfaction among treatment completers. On
average, weight regain was stopped and even reversed, with a mean
weight change of -5.1% ± 5.5% in completers throughout the 10week intervention. Overall, these pilot data provide initial support
for the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a
remotely-delivered behavioral intervention for patients who have
previously undergone bariatric surgery.