Does Social Media Have Any Influence On Those Getting Weight Loss Surgery

Abstract

Weight loss surgeries are on the rise as they become more known to the population at large. Because social media usage is also on the rise, this study was developed to find out if social media is a factor involved in the decision process for those having weight loss surgery. Through the use of in-depth interviews and previous research published on this topic, this study revealed the answer to this question and adds another new section of research in this area. Unanimously, people who went through with a bariatric surgery answered that social media was not a factor, rather it was mainly internal motivations, family, friends and doctors who were the ones to encourage them to proceed with it. Weight loss surgeries are becoming more popular just as social media is, but the two things seem to not overlap with one another, even through they are both more prevalent in people's lives.