How Telerehabilitation Supports Bariatric Patients in Their Recovery Process

Bariatric surgery has become one of the most effective tools for treating morbid obesity. However, the success of this procedure depends not only on the surgery itself, but also on physical rehabilitation and lifestyle changes that play a crucial role in long-term outcomes.

Telerehabilitation emerges as an accessible, safe, and effective solution to support bariatric patients both before and after surgery. This article explores the benefits of this approach, with a special focus on the experience of Parc de Salut Mar and the use of DyCare’s ReHub® platform.

 

Challenges in Rehabilitation for Morbidly Obese Patients

 

Patients preparing for bariatric surgery face several barriers to accessing traditional rehabilitation:

• Reduced mobility and joint pain
  
• Social stigma associated with attending gyms or healthcare centers
  
• Difficulty traveling to healthcare facilities
• Low adherence to long-term physical programs

These challenges can negatively affect preoperative preparation, postoperative recovery, and the patient’s overall progress.

 

The Role of Physical Rehabilitation in the Bariatric Process

 

A guided, supervised, and personalized physical program helps to:
Improve cardiorespiratory fitness before surgery

• Improve cardiorespiratory fitness before surgery
  
• Reduce the risk of postoperative complications
  
• Encourage autonomy and gradual mobility
  
• Promote regular physical activity in the long term

Telerehabilitation enables patients to gain these benefits from home, making active participation more feasible.

 

What is Telerehabilitation and Why It Works in These Cases

 

Telerehabilitation refers to the delivery of rehabilitation services remotely using technology to assess, guide, and monitor patients without requiring in-person visits.

For bariatric patients, this means:

• Doing exercises at home, avoiding travel and public exposure
  
• Accessing clear, tailored instructions and videos
  
• Receiving professional follow-up remotely
• Improving adherence thanks to increased convenience and privacy

La experiencia del Parc de Salut Mar con ReHub®

 

Esther Duarte, jefa del Servicio de Rehabilitación del Parc de Salut Mar, comparte que la pandemia aceleró la necesidad de adoptar soluciones a distancia. La incorporación de ReHub® en 2022 respondió a esa necesidad inicial, pero sus beneficios han trascendido el contexto de emergencia.

“Durante el COVID nos dimos cuenta de que una plataforma de telerehabilitación nos podía ayudar mucho, tanto a reducir visitas médicas como sesiones terapéuticas.”

Tras una fase piloto, el equipo identificó un grupo de pacientes especialmente beneficiados: personas con obesidad mórbida en lista de espera para cirugía bariátrica.

“Son pacientes con mucha dificultad para venir al hospital: ponerse ropa deportiva, exponerse a la mirada de otros… ellos se sienten muy mal. Pero si pueden hacer ejercicio en casa, con seguimiento, lo agradecen mucho y la adherencia mejora bastante.”

ReHub®: Key Tools for Bariatric Recovery

 

ReHub® allows physiotherapists and doctors to create customized programs, monitor progress, and provide a high-quality therapeutic experience remotely. Some key features include:

• A wide catalog of video-based exercises
  
• Automated functional assessments
  
• Reports on compliance and progress
  
• Option to add custom content from the care center
  
• Direct communication between patient and professional

These features are especially valuable for a population needing gradual, accessible, and tailored programs.

 

Observed Results

According to Esther Duarte, the experience with ReHub® in bariatric patients has been highly positive:

• Greater patient engagement in rehabilitation
  
• Improved treatment continuity
  
• Increased adherence
  
• Enhanced sense of autonomy and confidence
  

“Patients feel more comfortable working from home. It’s a very positive and clear result.”

Progressive Implementation Strategy

 

The team at Parc de Salut Mar did not implement the tool at scale immediately, but started with a pilot group led by two physiotherapists and two physicians, expanding usage through targeted diagnoses.

This strategy allowed them to:

• Evaluate the tool’s effectiveness
  
• Adapt protocols based on patient response
  
• Gradually train the team in its use
  

This step-by-step approach ensures safe and sustainable adoption.

Other Applications of ReHub® at the Hospital

Beyond bariatric patients, ReHub® is also used for:

• Mechanotherapy: supervised group sessions
  
• Neurological rehabilitation
  
• Final stages of orthopedic rehab
  

This highlights the platform’s versatility and its potential to integrate into various hospital rehab areas.

 

System-Wide Benefits

Telerehabilitation also brings institutional advantages:

• Reduced demand for in-person care
  
• Optimized use of healthcare staff time
  
• Improved clinical outcomes at lower costs
  
• Enables large-scale follow-up with limited personnel

 

Recommendations for Centers Interested in Implementation

Based on Parc de Salut Mar’s experience, here are some recommendations:

• Create a dedicated project leadership team
  
• Start with a small patient group
  
• Customize exercises to actual patient needs
  
• Monitor usage and satisfaction regularly

The Future of Bariatric Rehabilitation

As more healthcare centers integrate telerehabilitation into their pre- and post-bariatric programs, we can expect:

• Better preoperative physical preparation
  
• Fewer postoperative complications
  
• More sustainable healthy lifestyle adoption
  
• More engaged and empowered patients

 

Conclusion

Telerehabilitation represents a real opportunity to enhance both the experience and outcomes for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Tools like ReHub® make it possible to tailor treatments to each person’s needs, removing physical and psychological barriers to traditional programs.

The case of Parc de Salut Mar shows how well-implemented innovation can make a difference in patients’ lives. With commitment, a step-by-step strategy, and smart use of technology, this model is ready to be replicated in other hospitals.

To learn how ReHub can help your center improve care for bariatric patients, visit lightgray-raccoon-516286.hostingersite.com/ and request a demo.