[The role of patient education in bariatric surgery]. / Place de l'éducation thérapeutique du patient dans lato chirurgie bariatrique.

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has demonstrated its efficacy in treating numerous chronic conditions, including obesity. Currently, TPE has broadened its field of activity to the preparation of obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. A preparative program allows informing patients about the surgery, the necessity of the follow-up and the risk of weight regain. It also aims to allow the patient to understand the behaviors which initially brought about its obesity and to help modify these behaviors in order to avoid weight regain after the surgery. A follow-up post surgery by trained health care providers is also recommended. Current literature suggests that patients are satisfied with such educational programs, and that they help them to lose weight before surgery. The efficacy on post surgery weight loss and compliance is yet to be proved.