Introduction: Strict follow-up after bariatric surgery is an important factor in achieving and maintaining weight loss, whereas regaining weight is the most important threat in long-term follow-up. Stagnation in weight loss or weight regain can be signals of early treatment failure. The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of obtaining frequent objective weight measurements using an Internet-connected home weighing scale.
Methods: Internet-connected home weighing scales were used to perform weekly follow-up in bariatric surgery patients during the first postoperative year. For each patient, weight measurements were registered and excess body weight loss was calculated. This follow-up method was deemed successful if weight measurements were available for 80% of all weeks in the first year.
Results: A total of 14 patients started the protocol. Seven patients (50%) performed weekly weight measurements for at least 80% of all weeks in the first year. One-year follow-up was available for 11 patients. Excess weight loss was >50% in nine (82%) of these patients and >40% in the remaining two.
Conclusions: Using an Internet-connected weighing scale at home is feasible in postsurgery bariatric patients. It can provide the treating physicians with valuable information about weight loss over time. This could possibly offer opportunities for timely interventions during follow-up in case of insufficient weight loss or weight regain.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Excess body weight loss; Follow-up; Monitoring; Online weight measurements; Postoperative care.