My Weight Loss Journey

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by the University of Michigan and the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC), this application provides tailored risk and benefit estimates for bariatric surgery. The system captures patient data—including demographics, medical history, and procedural preference—via a survey interface. It then generates graphical visualizations of potential outcomes (weight loss, comorbidity resolution) and complications for sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The platform also integrates modules for longitudinal weight tracking and patient engagement through personalized check-ins.

Evidence & Research Context

• The app's proprietary risk/benefit calculator is derived from a prospective, externally-audited clinical registry of over 25,000 patients maintained by the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative.
• Associated research identified and modeled significant predictors for serious complications (e.g., age, coronary artery disease, mobility limitations) and venous thromboembolism (VTE).
• A validation study (N=276) in a U.S. Hispanic population demonstrated strong agreement between the calculator's predicted weight and patients' actual weight at one year post-surgery (concordance correlation coefficient = .80).
• An external validation study in a Dutch population (N=51,291) confirmed the serious complication model has good calibration, though it showed moderate discrimination (AUC=.602).

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is intended for patients considering bariatric surgery, in collaboration with their clinical care teams. Its primary utility is to facilitate shared decision-making and enhance the informed consent process by providing personalized outcome estimates. The app is not a substitute for clinical consultation and does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations.