Abstract

Our bariatric surgical unit delivers a monthly patient support group facilitated by a Specialist Bariatric Nurse, supporting an open and ongoing invitation to both pre- and post-surgical patients. The rational for the group is threefold; to provide an active community of peer support, to facilitate further interactions with the bariatic multidisciplinary team and to provide an inclusive forum for the context of shared experience and co-construction of knowledge
surrounding both expectations of, and the lived experience of bariatric surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to evaluate the attendee perceptions of the value of attending the support group.