Evaluating the Impact of a Virtual Health Coaching Lifestyle Program on Weight Loss after Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Bariatric surgery (BS) is a leading treatment for obesity; however, adverse side effects (e.g., pain and infection) can deter patients or affect weight maintenance. This study investigates how a post-operative virtual health coaching lifestyle program, monitoring virtual weekly goal progress made by patients, affects weight loss after BS, specifically sleeve gastrectomy. Patients recruited for this 6-month study were classified with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 90 days post-operatively. Patients were prescribed lifestyle support delivered by certified health and wellness coaches (InHealth Lifestyle Therapeutics™). Demographic variables (e.g., age, weight, height, and gender) were obtained and compared according to initial, 3-, 6-month, and current weight through repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc comparison. Thirty-eight adult participants were included, with a mean age of 52 years ± 12.9 and with a majority (n = 35; 97%) of them being female. There were significant differences in weight reported across all five time points (p < 0.05), with the greatest weight difference seen between the initial (250.3 ± 45.5 lbs.) and final time points (226.7± 40.4 lbs.). This study suggests post-operative virtual health coaching can enhance weight loss outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy. Further research is needed to assess the long-term effects and cost-effectiveness of such a form of coaching for bariatric surgery patients.