Online Media Platform and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine Purchasing Prior to Bariatric Surgery: Qualitative Study.

Background: Bariatric surgery offers quick weight reduction for patients with morbid obesity. Those who plan for bariatric surgery require perioperative preparation, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) evaluation, and treatment using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is recommended. There are limited data on how patients have prepared for bariatric surgery or for those who have decided to purchase a CPAP machine prior to surgery. Objective: This study aimed to use a qualitative method to evaluate how obese patients with OSA who were scheduled for bariatric surgery received information regarding bariatric surgery, including their decision to purchase a CPAP machine prior to bariatric surgery. Methods: This qualitative study enrolled adult patients who planned to undergo bariatric surgery, were diagnosed with OSA, and were treated with CPAP therapy at least 1 month prior to surgery. An in-depth interview was conducted with eligible patients, addressing their perspectives on obesity, strategies for weight loss, and reasons for purchasing or renting CPAP machines prior to bariatric surgery. The interview was conducted using content analysis and triangulation focused on a variety of data informants, theoretical sampling, and achieving data saturation. Themes were summarized and reported. Results: There were 14 patients with obesity and OSA who planned for bariatric surgery. The average age of all patients was 27.21 (SD 4.98) years with male proportion of 28.57% (4/14) and single marital status of 78.57% (11/14). The average BMI was 45.28 (SD 7.58) kg/m2 and the average apnea-hypopnea index was 40.42 (SD 29.61) events per hour. Seven themes were reported: the causes of obesity, effects of obesity, effects of weight loss, experiences of social media on weight loss, CPAP therapy prior to bariatric surgery, and experiences of social media on bariatric surgery. Morbidly obese patients with OSA who planned for bariatric surgery experienced physical and mental effects of obesity, including social stigmatization. These patients had failed in various weight loss programs and believed that bariatric surgery was the correct solution. Social media was used for data gathering in terms of bariatric surgery and CPAP therapy. CPAP rental or secondhand purchasing was preferred. Conclusions: Social media platforms are a source of information prior to bariatric surgery. A CPAP machine is not a lifesaving machine; rather, it is a temporary treatment before surgery and may not be required after weight loss. CPAP rental or secondhand purchasing may be preferred. These are participant beliefs, not clinical conclusions.