Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients Research Articles

Presentations, management and outcomes of postoperative bariatric patients seen in the emergency department

BackgroundBariatric surgery is becoming increasingly common and postoperative patients often present to the emergency department (ED) with complications. We sought to describe the presenting complaints, management, and outcomes of postoperative bariatric surgery patients seen in the ED. MethodsWe conducted a health records review of 300 consecutive postoperative Roux-en-Y bypass surgery patients who presented to two tertiary care EDs of a major bariatric surgery center within one year of surgery. Cases were identified using a data analytic tool, and two evaluators abstracted clinical variables, imaging, treatments, and outcomes using the electronic health record. Attending emergency physicians verified the data and an experienced bariatric surgeon interpreted the computed tomography (CT) results and surgical procedures. ResultsWe included 300 patients with mean age 43.0 years, 89.7% female. Of these, 70.0% presented within 30 days of surgery and 41.7% were admitted to hospital. ED treatments included intravenous fluids (67.0%), antiemetics (53.3%), and analgesia (61.9%). Patients presenting within 30 days of surgery were more likely to undergo a CT (74.3% vs 63.3%; p = 0.06) and to have clinically important CT findings (31.9% vs 6.6%; p ≤0.001). More of the ≤30-day patients were admitted to hospital (46.2% vs 31.1%; p = 0.02). While a higher proportion of patients presenting after 30 days underwent a procedure, a large number of those were not directly related to bariatric surgery, such as appendectomy and cholecystectomy. Of the 34 patients undergoing a procedure, the majority presented with abdominal pain (76.5%). ConclusionThis is the first detailed health records review of postoperative bariatric patients seen in the ED in the emergency medicine literature. Those presenting with abdominal pain were more likely to undergo CT abdomen and a surgical procedure. Similarly, those presenting within 30 days of surgery were more likely to have significant CT findings and require hospital admission. Others presenting with primarily nausea and vomiting may improve with ED symptom management and be discharged home with bariatric team follow-up.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms among Post Bariatric Surgery Patients in Baghdad-Iraq

J. Fac. Med. Baghdad 2023. Vol 65, No. 4 Background: Obesity is a major public health concern and is on the rise worldwide. Numerous studies revealed that the best method for treating morbid obesity is bariatric surgery, which has indicated its effectiveness in controlling weight. Published studies reported that patients who had undergone bariatric surgery may have psychiatric illnesses when compared to other obese individuals with similar preoperative characteristics. Objectives: Estimate the rates of anxiety and depression among post-operative bariatric surgery patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 61 patients was conducted at the bariatric clinic in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Baghdad teaching hospital and the Private Nursing Home Hospital in Medical city, Baghdad-Iraq from 1st of April to the 30th of December 2021. Generalized Anxiety Assessment – 7 (GAD-7) Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9) scale were applied to assess these conditions. Results: The prevalence of depression among the studied patients was 32.8%, while the prevalence of anxiety was 44.3%. Marital status, diabetes mellitus, post-operative BMI, and past psychiatric history were significantly associated with depression, P value < 0.05. Chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus and hypertension), post-operative BMI,nd psychiatric history were significantly associated with anxiety, P value<0.05. Conclusions: Anxiety was found to be more common than depression among patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Variables predicting both depression and anxiety were diabetes mellitus, post-operative severe obesity, and a history of psychiatric disorders before surgery. Received May. 2023 Accepted July 2023 Published Jan. 2023

High Prevalence of Positive Genetic Obesity Variants in Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients with Weight Regain Presenting for Medical Obesity Intervention.

Genetic obesity susceptibility in postoperative bariatric surgery weight regain (PBSWR) remains largely unexplored. A retrospective case series of adult (N = 27) PBSWR patients who had undergone genetic obesity testing was conducted between Sept. 2020 and March 2022. frequency of genetic variants in patients experiencing weight regain following bariatric surgery. prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities, nadir BMI achieved post-bariatric surgery, and percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) achieved with obesity pharmacotherapies. Heterozygous mutations were identified in 22 (81%) patients, with the most prevalent mutations occurring in CEP290, RPGR1P1L, and LEPR genes (3 patients each). Median age was 56years (interquartile range (IQR) 46.8-65.5), 88% female. Types of surgery were 67% RYGB, 19% SG, 4% gastric band, and 13% revisions. Median nadir BMI postoperatively was 34.0kg/m2 (IQR 29.0-38.5). A high prevalence of metabolic derangements was noted; patients presented median 80months (IQR 39-168.5) postoperative for medical weight management with 40% weight regain. BMI at initiation of anti-obesity medication (AOMs) was 41.7kg/m2 (36.8-44.4). All received AOM and required at least 3 AOMs for weight regain. Semaglutide (N = 21), topiramate (N = 14), and metformin (N = 12) were most prescribed. Median %TBWL for the cohort at the first, second, and third visit was 1.7, 5.0, and 6.5 respectively. Fourteen (52%) achieved 5%TBWL, 10 (37%) achieved 10%TBWL, and 4 (15%) achieved 15%TBWL with combination AOMs and supervised medical intervention. An unusually high prevalence of genetic obesity variants in PBSWR was found, warranting further research.

Telephone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Operative Bariatric Surgery Patients: Preliminary Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Telephone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Operative Bariatric Surgery Patients: Preliminary Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Prevalence of elevated alkaline phosphatase levels among post-bariatric surgery patients.

Little is known about the prevalence of elevated alkaline phosphatase in post-bariatric surgery patients due to under-utilization of this test after surgery. Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels are caused by hepatobiliary disease or bone resorption, which can lead to gallstones and osteoporosis. Early, post-operative measurement of alkaline phosphatase can prevent complications, thus reducing morbidity and overall healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of elevated alkaline phosphatase levels among post-operative bariatric surgery patients. This was a retrospective study of patients 18years or older, who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) at a Midwestern Weight Management Clinic between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2020. Alkaline phosphatase levels, weight, body mass index (BMI), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol, and calcitonin, vitamin D and multivitamin supplementation were measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12months post-surgery. Two hundred thirty patients with mean age of 47years and BMI of 44.6 were included with 80.9% (n = 186) female. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated relative to baseline for 36.1% of patients (n = 52) at 3months post-surgery, 42.4% of patients (n = 56) at 6months, and 43.3% of patients (n = 45) at 12months (p < 0.001). There were six cases of documented cholelithiasis post-surgery. A significant proportion of participants experienced elevations in alkaline phosphatase following surgery, indicating that the prevalence of gallbladder pathology and bone resorption may be higher than previously thought. This merits additional investigation into these complications post-operatively to determine prevalence and avoid excess morbidity.

Associations of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Eating Behaviors and Body Mass Index in Patients with a History of Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Few studies have explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eating behaviors, dietary quality, and changes in weight of postoperative bariatric surgery patients. A cross-sectional survey on eating behaviors and attitudes toward food was emailed or given to patients who had bariatric surgery before March 2020. Patient charts were reviewed for weight measures. Seventy-five (71.43%) patients experienced weight recurrence with an average increase in body mass index (BMI) of 2.83kg/m2 (SD: 2.19). The majority of patients reported no symptoms of binge eating (n = 81, 77.14%) with 16 (15.24%) qualifying for loss of control eating (LOCE). LOCE was significantly associated with grazing behavior (p = 0.04), emotional over-eating (p = 0.001), and food responsiveness (p = 0.002). LOCE was negatively associated with dietary quality (p = 0.0009) and satiety responsiveness (p = 0.01). Grazing behavior was significantly associated with emotional over-eating (p < 0.0001) and food responsiveness (p < 0.0001) as well as negatively associated with dietary quality (p < 0.0001). Slow eating was negatively associated with grazing (p = 0.01), emotional over-eating (p = 0.003), and food responsiveness (p < 0.0001). When included in a regression model controlling for age and sex, emotional over-eating was a significant predictor of weight recurrence (β = 0.25; p = 0.04). Our results suggest that maladaptive eating behaviors contributed to LOCE and poor dietary quality during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, slow eating may be protective against grazing, emotional over-eating, and food responsiveness.

Quality of Life After Bariatric and Body Contouring Surgery in the Australian Public Health System

IntroductionThe goals of bariatric surgery are weight loss, improved management of obesity-related diseases, and enhanced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study is to determine HRQoL among postoperative bariatric surgery patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of bariatric surgery and the role of body contouring surgery (BCS) when considering quality of life in low-volume centres in the Australian public health system. MethodsThis cohort study compared patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2008 and 2018, to those awaiting surgery. An additional analysis was completed for patients who also underwent BCS. Patients completed the Short Form-36 quality of life (SF-36) survey. Linear regression was used to assess the differences in mean scores between cohorts for each of the SF-36 domains. ResultsA total of 131 postoperative patients were identified, with a follow up rate of 68%. The mean follow up was 5.4 y. The mean scores for all domains of the SF-36 in the postoperative group were higher than the preoperative group (P ≤ 0.0001). A significant difference in scores persisted after controlling for patients’ current BMI. When considering patients who underwent BCS (n = 24), there was a further global improvement in HRQoL in physical function (P = 0.0065), role limitation to physical health (P = 0.0026), pain (P = 0.0004), energy (P = 0.0023) and general health perceptions (P = 0.0023). ConclusionsBariatric surgery followed by BCS may improve HRQoL for the patient when compared to bariatric surgery alone. We advocate for the use of bariatric surgery followed by BCS in low-volume centres in the Australian public health system.

Improving Bed Utilization in a Cohort of Bariatric Surgical Patients Using a Perioperative Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment and Bed Triage Protocol.

Postoperative bariatric management often includes high-intensity monitoring for respiratory complications since > 70% of patients have obstructive sleep apnea. Given the increasing number of bariatric surgeries, there is a need to determine safe and cost-effective processes for postoperative care.The objective of this study was to determine if a novel triage and perioperative management guideline reduces postoperative monitoring and costs following bariatric surgery. Using a pre-post design, this is a retrospective analysis of 501 patients who had bariatric surgery. Half the patients were managed with usual care, and the other half received obstructive sleep apnea screening and treatment of moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea with perioperative continuous positive airway pressure. The intervention group was triaged preoperatively to a postoperative nursing location based on risk factors. There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, frequency, or severity of OSA between groups. In the intervention group, there were fewer admissions to the intensive care unit (2.0% vs 9.1%; p < 0.01) and high acuity unit (9.6% vs 18.3%; p < 0.01). The length of stay was shorter in the intervention group (1.3 vs 2.3days; p < 0.01) with a 50% reduction in costs. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of postoperative respiratory and non-respiratory complications between the two groups. Most postoperative bariatric surgery patients can be safely managed on the surgical ward with monitoring of routine vitals alone if patients with moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea receive perioperative continuous positive airway pressure.

A comparative study between high-flow nasal oxygen therapy and venturi mask oxygen therapy for postoperative laparoscopic bariatric surgery patients with atelectasis: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundObesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for postoperative respiratory complications in several studies. In the pediatric and newborn populations, high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO2) therapy was initially demonstrated to be an effective treatment for acute respiratory failure. It becomes increasingly popular as a therapy for adult patients, with a growing range of clinical applications.ResultsOne hundred ten patients were admitted to the ICU for postoperative care after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. They were examined and randomized equally into two groups: group A (HFNO2 therapy group) who received high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, group B (VMO2 therapy group) who received venturi mask oxygen therapy. The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2), respiratory rate, and length of ICU stay were recorded. The partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2) was 131.764 (95% CI 124.562–138.965) in the HFNO2 group versus 106.767 (95% CI 99.565–113.968) in the VMO2 group, partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) was 321.81 (95% CI 307.486–336.153) in the HFNO2 group versus 276.767 (95% CI 262.433–291.100) in the VMO2 group, and respiratory rate was 20.778 (95% CI 20.172–21.385) in the HFNO2 group versus 24.047 (95% CI 23.441–24.654) in the VMO2 group, while the length of ICU stay was the HFNO2 group (1.09 ± .29 days) and (1.00 ± .000 day) in the VMO2 group.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study has shown that high-flow nasal oxygen therapy in postoperative laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy patients with atelectasis-maintained oxygenation represented as PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 higher than the venturi mask and significantly decreased the respiratory rate but did not decrease the length of ICU stay when compared to venturi mask oxygen therapy.Trial registrationClinical trial registered with http://www.pactr.org (PACTR202108492295773).

The Impact of Telephone-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Mental Health Distress and Disordered Eating Among Bariatric Surgery Patients During COVID-19: Preliminary Results from a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPatients undergoing bariatric surgery have high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, which may increase their vulnerability to COVID-19-related mental health distress. Exacerbation of mental health distress and disordered eating could have significant negative effects on long-term weight management and quality of life for these patients if untreated.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of a telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy (Tele-CBT) intervention in improving depressive, anxiety, and disordered eating symptoms during COVID-19.MethodsParticipants were recruited as part of a larger randomized controlled trial study (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03315247) between March 2020 and March 2021 and randomized 1:1 to receive Tele-CBT or standard bariatric care. Outcomes of Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Emotional Eating Scale (EES), and Binge Eating Scale (BES) were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. Linear mixed models were used to test the effect of intervention group, time, and group-by-time interaction for each outcome.ResultsEighty-one patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Mean (SD) age of participants was 47.68 (9.36) years and 80.2% were female. There were significant group-by-time interactions for all outcomes and significant differences between groups across time. There were significant decreases in mean GAD-7 (p = 0.001), PHQ-9 (p < 0.001), EES-Total (p = 0.001), EES-Anger (p = 0.003), EES-Anxiety (p < 0.001), EES-Depression (p < 0.001), and BES (p = 0.002) scores for the Tele-CBT group at post-intervention and follow-up when compared to baseline and the control group.ConclusionTele-CBT is a feasible and effective treatment for improving psychological distress and disordered eating among post-operative bariatric surgery patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Graphical abstract

Comparative Study on Nutritional Intake and Nutritional Status of Elective Pre- and Post-operative Bariatric Surgery Patients

Obesity is a global epidemic affecting populations worldwide. Bariatric surgery is effective in treating morbid obesity in individuals who fail to lose weight even after modifying lifestyle, dietary habits, and pharmacotherapy. To provide better health care management pre- and post-bariatric surgery, it is imperative to establish the nutritional status of patients before surgery. The aim of this study was to assess and compare pre- and post-surgery nutritional status of bariatric candidates. Obesity is the basis for cluster of non-communicable diseases creating an enormous socioeconomic and public health burden. For this, laparoscopic bariatric procedures; sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass, and Mini Gastric Bypass were done for treating obesity and other related co-morbidities. The medical records of 50 subjects were reviewed for this study. Mean age and body mass index are 42.2 ± 12.9 (kg/m2) and 42.77 ± 7.9 (kg/m2), respectively. The pre-surgery mean intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat was 3048 ± 485.4 (kcal/d), 200.4 ± 40.1 (g/d), 101.6 ± 17.02 (g/d), and 156.09 ± 108.4 (g/d), respectively, which were above Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat was significantly decreased post operatively (P &gt; 0.001) to 1400 ± 99 (kcal/d), 132.1 ± 22.3 (g/d), 69.9 ± 3.6 (g/d), and 30.9 ± 6.4 (g/d), respectively. Low intake of fiber, Vitamin A (74%), and Vitamin C (32%) was observed during pre-operative condition. The findings in this study advocates nutritional intervention and tailored supplementation pre- and post-bariatric surgery for promising results.

Impact of a Culinary Training Program on Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Relating to Nutrition and Weight Loss Counseling

Abstract Objectives Nutrition education in the medical school setting has evolved over the past decade, but overall represents an area in need of further improvement. We propose that implementing an interdisciplinary culinary training program can effectively teach medical students the principles of nutrition and weight management. Methods Medical students enrolled in a volunteer program underwent an immersive culinary education program to acquire cooking skills and nutrition knowledge to provide live counselling for post-operative bariatric surgery patients in meal preparation. A total of 30 students were administered a survey prior to the training. The same survey was administered one month after undergoing training to assess the training program's impact on the students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. All variables were assessed on a Likert Scale. The cohort of students were followed and their responses to the pre- and post-training surveys were matched via demographic data and analyzed via a paired t-test. Results A statistically significant change in mean survey response was seen for questions relating to nutrition principles (P = 0.001), obesity knowledge (P = 0.006), and weight loss counseling after the training program intervention (P = 0.045). Conclusions An interdisciplinary culinary training program can be an effective tool for medical students to obtain skills and knowledge needed to counsel patients on healthy cooking and weight management. Interdisciplinary programming may be a way to improve medical student knowledge and positively impact patient health. Funding Sources The Bariatric and Nutrition Clinic Teaching Kitchen was generously donated by Brown &amp; Weinraub, PLLC and Earl B. Feiden, Inc. Funding for the training program itself was provided by the medical school's Dean's fund.

Food Addiction Is Associated with Binge Eating and Psychiatric Distress among Post-Operative Bariatric Surgery Patients and May Improve in Response to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

The current study examined clinical correlates of food addiction among post-operative bariatric surgery patients, compared the clinical characteristics of patients with versus without food addiction, and examined whether a brief telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy (Tele-CBT) intervention improves food addiction symptomatology among those with food addiction. Participants (N = 100) completed measures of food addiction, binge eating, depression, and anxiety 1 year following bariatric surgery, were randomized to receive either Tele-CBT or standard bariatric post-operative care, and then, repeated the measure of food addiction at 1.25 and 1.5 years following surgery. Thirteen percent of patients exceeded the cut-off for food addiction at 1 year post-surgery, and this subgroup of patients reported greater binge eating characteristics and psychiatric distress compared to patients without food addiction. Among those with food addiction, Tele-CBT was found to improve food addiction symptomatology immediately following the intervention. These preliminary findings suggest that Tele-CBT may be helpful, at least in the short term, in improving food addiction symptomatology among some patients who do not experience remission of food addiction following bariatric surgery; however, these findings require replication in a larger sample.

The utility of DSM-5 indicators of loss of control eating for the bariatric surgery population.

This study investigated the utility of DSM-5 indicators of loss of control (LOC) eating in adult bariatric surgery patients who presented with binge-eating episodes. Participants (all women) were 40 preoperative and 28 postoperative bariatric surgery patients reporting objective binge eating (OBE), 46 preoperative and 52 postoperative with subjective binge-eating (SBE), 53 bulimia nervosa (BN) controls, and 34 binge-eating disorder (BED) controls. Face-to-face Eating Disorder Examination interviews and questionnaires were administered. ANOVA, T-test, χ 2 , and regressions compared the groups in terms of LOC indicators endorsed and to explain disordered eating psychopathology. The indicator most commonly reported by bariatric patients with OBE was "feeling disgusted" (90% and 75% of pre- and postoperative groups), and the least endorsed was "eating alone" (40 and 28.6%). These indicators were reported by >84.9% of the BN and BED. Bariatric patients (pre- or post-surgery) with OBE only reported a higher number of indicators than patients with SBE only (t(150) = 2.34, p = .021). A higher number of indicators reported were associated with increased eating-related psychopathology (F(1,134) = 31.06, p < .001), but only for the post-surgery patients. The LOC indicators proposed by DSM-5 need to be refined or revised for the bariatric population. Highlights Bariatric patients endorse fewer LOC indicators than BN or BED during a binge-eating episode. Some of the DSM-5 LOC indicators may not be suited to assess episodes of loss of control eating among bariatric patients. The Higher the number of LOC indicators reported, the higher the eating-related psychopathology.

Physical Exercise in Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients

Physical Exercise in Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Patients

The effects of social isolation measures due to Covid-19 pandemia on the exercise status, eating behaviours, metabolic parameters and emotional status of postoperative bariatric surgery patients.

The effects of social isolation measures due to Covid-19 pandemia on the exercise status, eating behaviours, metabolic parameters and emotional status of postoperative bariatric surgery patients.

A522 A single-center use of Aprepitant in post-operative Bariatric Surgery patients – a promising solution to curtail postoperative nausea and vomiting

Post operative nausea and vomiting can lead to prolonged hospital stays and readmissions in bariatric surgery patients. To compare degree of nausea and vomiting in bariatric surgical patients who received Emend in the perioperative setting to bariatric surgical patients treated in standard fashion.

2019 Canadian Surgery Forum Abstracts.

# 01. The future of general surgery training: a Canadian resident nationwide Delphi consensus statement {#article-title-2} Various pedagogical models have been introduced in an attempt to improve and restructure surgical training, but significant obstacles remain. Before implementing national

Psychometric properties of the eating loss of control scale among postbariatric patients

BackgroundAssessing the complexities of eating behaviors in patients who undergo bariatric surgery is challenging. The Eating Loss of Control Scale (ELOCS), a measure of loss-of-control (LOC) eating, has not yet been evaluated psychometrically among bariatric surgery patients. ObjectiveThis study presents a psychometric examination of the ELOCS in postoperative bariatric surgery patients. SettingAcademic medical center in the United States. MethodsOne hundred seventy-one postbariatric treatment-seeking adults (82.5% female, 52.4% white) with LOC eating completed the ELOCS and measures assessing eating psychopathology and mood. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test fit for a 1-factor solution. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined alternative factor structures. ResultsCFA revealed poor fit for a 1-factor structure (χ2 = 220.375, degrees of freedom = 135, P < .001, comparative fit index = .917, Tucker-Lewis index = .906, root mean square error of approximation = .067). EFA data suggested an alternative factor solution (χ2 = 157.76, degrees of freedom = 118, P = .009, comparative fit index = .965, Tucker-Lewis index = .955, root mean square error of approximation = .047). Factor 1 (α = .88) reflected behavioral aspects and factor 2 (α = .92) reflected cognitive/emotional aspects of LOC eating. Bivariate correlations with measures of eating and other psychopathology suggested good construct validity for factors. ConclusionsFindings suggest possible differences in the construct validity of the ELOCS among postbariatric patients. The 1-factor solution previously supported in clinical and nonclinical groups demonstrated poor fit. EFA revealed a possible alternative 2-factor solution that aligns with emerging literature, suggesting that LOC eating presents differently in postbariatric patients. Researchers interested in LOC eating among bariatric patients should consider use of the ELOCS and testing the proposed alternative factor structure.

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES OF A NUTRITION SERVICE CONTRIBUTING TO THE SAFETY OF BARIATRIC SURGERY PATIENTS

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe patients' perceptions of communication technologies used in a nutrition service and to learn how they may contribute to the safety of postoperative bariatric surgery patients. Method: a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out with 12 postoperative bariatric surgery patients admitted into a teaching hospital in southern Brazil from March to July 2016, by means of a focus group (five meetings). Data analysis included text transcription and data were grouped by similarity and once more nominated as great units. Result: the following categories emerged from the analysis process: communication with nutritionists and patient safety; changes in eating habits and challenges; and weight loss and maintenance. The data showed that group appointments strengthen the relationship with nutritionists. Using several communication technologies promotes a sense of safety, because it facilitates access. Care guidelines reduce concerns associated with nutritional deficiencies and weight regain. Conclusion: the strengthening of the relationship with nutritionists associated with a wide range of communication technologies provide patient safety toward losing follow-up and having problems regarding nutritional deficiencies and weight regain.