PreActiv - Digital support to help you prepare for bariatric surgery
04 Mar 2026
We've introduced PreActiv - an online exercise and support programme to support patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
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Each year, many patients at Whittington Hospital have bariatric surgery with us.
Preparing well for surgery, and recovering safely afterwards, can make a real difference to how people feel and how quickly they heal.
If you are eligible, you may be offered PreActiv as part of your care.
PreActiv is an online digital exercise and support programme that you can use at home. It is designed to help you get your body ready for bariatric surgery and support your recovery afterwards, in a safe and guided way.
Before your bariatric surgery takes place, PreActiv offers short exercise sessions tailored to your needs alongside clear and simple learning content.
The exercises focus on building strength and fitness, while the learning modules offer advice on nutrition, how to improve your recovery, and what to expect before and after your operation.
After surgery, the programme changes to match your recovery. The exercises become gentler and are tailored to your procedure, helping you move safely and rebuild confidence over time.
The programme adapts to you and how you feel. Before each session, you can answer a few questions about how you are feeling on that day. After the session, you will be prompted to give feedback and rate how difficult it felt, which helps adjust future exercises so you do not overdo it.
You also have access to an online community forum. A great place to share success and encouragement.
Your clinical team can track your progress through a secure dashboard, which helps them see how you are getting on and offer support when needed.
The programme follows NHS guidance on preparing for surgery and aims to improve recovery and patient experience.
If you are eligible to use the PreActiv platform, your clinician will speak to you about this.
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