Wouter Leclercq

ABSTRACT Background Preoperative education is part of the informed consent process and should enable patients to make an informed decision. Information is lacking about the received quality of the education and informed consent process in bariatric surgery, especially for young adults. Aim of this study was to gain a more detailed insight in the perceptions and experiences of the informed consent process of young adults undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods Fifty-five young adults, aged 18-25 years, who underwent bariatric surgery at our center between 2012 and 2017, were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. The interview covered 3 main topics: education of the specific informed consent domains; perioperative expectations and experiences; personal (un)certainties related to undergoing bariatric surgery. Results Twenty-seven patients participated in a semi-structured interview. Mean age was 23.1 ± 1.6 years and mean body mass index was 43.9 ± 7.2 kg/m 2 . All the consent domains were remembered by the patients, but 24/27 patients could not recall 1 or more complications. Inadequate weight loss was not recalled by 6/27 patients. Common remarks were that the preoperative education focused mainly on the positive results. Negative effects were inadequately educated. Conclusion The preoperative education and informed consent process for bariatric surgery is an essential step in the treatment process. This study provides new information on received quality of education and informed consent issues in young adults. Improved preoperative education including possible outcome scenarios after bariatric surgery to assess risks and lifetime consequences should be developed to improve informed consent in these patients.