Using BariatricPal or Other Online Support Systems Can Improve Bariatric Success!

You already know that social support is critical for your weight loss success. Your support network can include your family and friends, and is stronger when it includes other bariatric patients – or your peers. Bariatric support groups at hospitals and clinics let you interact with other weight loss surgery patients and individuals who are considering or preparing for weight loss surgery.

Peer-to-Peer Support Works

Patients who attend bariatric support group meetings after surgery are more likely to achieve their goal weights. That is why many surgeons will only agree to perform bariatric surgery after their patients promise to attend support group meetings regularly for months or years after surgery, or for life.

Support groups can be motivating when you see that group members, who are just like you, are overcoming the same obstacles as you. Attending meetings can increase your focus on making healthy decisions because each meeting is a reminder that your weight loss success depends on your daily choices. Support groups can make you feel accountable to others, as well, and increase your will to succeed. Another reason why support groups work is that they provide opportunities for you to ask questions and learn from healthcare providers and others’ experiences.

Online Support Can Improve Patient Outcomes

Online support groups can play important roles in your success after weight loss surgery. They provide some of the social benefits as in-person support groups, and offer many additional advantages.

They are convenient – Online support groups are available through your computer or smartphone. Unlike with in-person support groups, you do not have to rearrange your schedule to use online forums. You do not have to drive long distances to attend online meetings, you do not have to attend after work when you are tired, and you do not have to leave your home to drive through rain or snow. You can use online groups whenever you want and from wherever you want as long as you have an internet connection of smartphone.

They are always available – With in-person support groups, medical appointments, or even phone calls to your healthcare provider, you can only get answers to your questions at set times, often during business hours or during a weekly meeting. But what happens if you are at a restaurant and you need to know what to order, or if you are feeling down and need a few words of encouragement? One option is to whip out your smartphone and consult your online peers.

They can let you be more open – In-person groups can feel overwhelming if you are shy by nature or if you simply have trouble opening up about your weight loss surgery. Some people do not mind talking about dumping syndrome and diarrhea at in-person support groups, but many do feel uncomfortable. However, talking about these issues is important so you can learn how to deal with them or prevent them. Many people are more comfortable talking about sensitive issues online.

Your support group can become part of your life – Some online support group sites also offer additional features, such as weight loss, body measurement, and diet tracking. Tracking is an important part of weight loss success, and should be part of your regular routine. Using an online support site that lets you track your progress helps make it easier for you to participate in discussions, since you will already be at the site. You can develop the habit of using your support group and tracking your progress at the same time.

You can discover anything and everything – You might not have enough time to ask everything you want when you only have limited time at support groups or in doctor’s appointments. With online communities, you can find out as much as you want either by looking through the old conversations or starting your own. There is no limit!

Choose an Online Support System that Works for You

The options for online support systems are nearly limitless. How can you choose the best one for yourself? These are some general guidelines to consider as you start to narrow your choices.

• The community should be friendly, with official policies against rudeness. Nobody should ever be allowed to make you feel attacked or vulnerable.
  
• The support system should be large, so that you are almost sure to find the answers you need to all of your questions because members have “been there, done that.” You also want to be able to receive the in-the-moment encouragement you ask for when you are down.
  
• There are opportunities to get to know members more personally, through smaller groups, private message, and live chats. This gives you the chance to establish deep friendships and feel more committed to a healthy lifestyle.
  
• It lets you customize your experience through features like a personal profile and the ability to track progress, and maintain a photo gallery and/or blog.
  
• It is available through mobile apps, so that you can access your support system from anywhere at any time.
  

Let your instincts guide you as you choose your online support system, and go with what makes you feel welcome and comfortable, even if it is just a gut feeling. Also remember that you are not restricted to using just one community. You might end up using two or three communities regularly. And finally, keep in mind that the best system for you might not be the best one for everyone. The important thing is that you like it.

The power of online support systems should not be underestimated! They can help you lose weight, eat better, and stay healthy. Using them as part of your overall support system and weight loss surgery plan can improve your outcome and be fun as well!