Do Text Message Reminders Increase Preoperative Exercise in Obesity Surgery Candidates?

Text Messaging to Improve Adherence to Prehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Preoperative exercise has been shown to improve physiological and functional capacity in patients undergoing abdominal surgery to prepare them for the stress of surgery. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery are advised to partake in regular preoperative exercise. In the setting of bariatric surgery, as well as preparing patients for the stress of surgery, it is also thought to increase the likelihood that they will exercise postoperatively. However, compliance to this advice is extremely low. Text-message interventions have been shown to improve compliance to other lifestyle interventions. The investigators will compare the rate of compliance to preoperative exercise prior to bariatric surgery in patients who receive a daily text message to those who do not. The investigators will also compare weight loss.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Manukau Surgery Centre
• Operation used primarily for the treatment of morbid obesity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Operation not performed at Manukau Surgery Centre
• Patient does not have a mobile phone which can receive text messages