Evaluation of an AI-Powered Patient Education Application in Bariatric Surgery: A Prospective Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

The study evaluated BariBot, an application using large language models for patient education after bariatric surgery. Sixteen patients used the application on postoperative day 1 and completed usability assessment and interviews. The application achieved a median usability score of 91.3 points, indicating excellent usability. Patients valued the immediate availability, structured responses, ability to address follow-up questions, and non-judgmental approach. Importantly, patients emphasized the need for transparency and clinical oversight, viewing the application as a supplement rather than a replacement for clinical consultations. The study confirmed the feasibility of implementation and high acceptability of the application, though larger and longer-term studies are needed to verify safety and impact on treatment outcomes.