AbstractsPsychology

Bariatric surgery is regarded as the most effective treatment for obesity; however, weight regain is common. The inability to maintain weight loss following bariatric surgery is largely attributed to poor compliance to dietary recommendations made during the preoperative psychoeducation process. This decreased compliance may be due in part to a lack of psychological skills necessary to continuously engage in healthy eating behaviors over the long-term, especially as the effects of the surgery (on appetite, hunger) decreases. As a result, significant weight regain can occur, which can result in poorer health outcomes and, in more extreme cases, secondary surgical procedures. However, a significant barrier to implementing behavioral interventions is the fact that patients are unwilling or unable to physically return to their bariatric surgery clinics for follow-up care. Internet-delivered treatments, in contrast, can be conveniently delivered in the home, and have been found efficacious for a number of health problems, including obesity. The current study aimed to develop and evaluate a 10-week, remotely-delivered, acceptance-based behavioral intervention for individuals who have experienced weight regain post-surgery via an open trial. Twenty-two participants at least 1.5 years out from surgery and who experienced weight regain were enrolled. The intervention was shown to be feasible and acceptable, with 70% retention in those who started the program and a high mean rating (4.7 out of 5.0) of program satisfaction among those who completed the study. On average, weight regain was stopped and even reversed, with a mean weight change of -5.1% ± 5.5% throughout the 10-week intervention. There were also significant improvements in acceptance-based and eating-related process variables. Overall, these pilot data provide initial support for the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a remotely-delivered acceptance-based intervention for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. Advisors/Committee Members: Forman, Evan M..