Guidelines

Welcome to BariatricPal!

Our forums provide a free space for you to connect, learn, and support one another on your journey toward better health. We’re a diverse community, but we share one goal: healthier lives. To maintain a respectful and helpful environment, please adhere to the following rules. By participating, you agree to them.

Moderation and Community Standards

• BariatricPal is moderated by a dedicated team.

• We may edit, move, or remove posts without notice.

• Use the “Report Post” link to flag anything inappropriate.

• We’ll review each case at our discretion and take appropriate action.

Respectful Behavior is Required

We encourage open discussion, but all posts must align with BariatricPal’s core values:

• Weight loss surgery is a legitimate and personal tool to fight obesity.

• No surgery is better or worse. Each has pros and cons.

• Everyone deserves support, regardless of the type of surgery they choose — or if they choose none at all.

• BariatricPal is a safe space for asking questions and engaging in honest discussions.

Absolutely not allowed:

• Surgery shaming, including calling a surgery:

  • “Cheating”

  • “Obsolete”

  • “Wrong” or “bad”

  • “Destined to fail”

• Personal attacks, including calling someone:

  • Lazy for their choice

  • Unworthy of surgery

  • Deserving of complications

Consequences for Violations

Depending on the situation, consequences may include:

• Post edits or removals

• Warnings

• Temporary suspension

• Permanent account removal

Posting Guidelines

Be civil.

Rudeness may result in post removal and could lead to suspension.

Respect others’ opinions.

It’s fine to disagree, keep it constructive.

No flaming.

This includes:

• Insults or personal attacks

• Escalating arguments

• Posting inflammatory images

If you’re being flamed, don’t reply. Please report it.

No trolling.

This includes:

• Picking fights

• Posting off-topic to derail threads

• Trying to provoke people

Inappropriate content is not allowed.

This includes:

• Profanity or obscenity

• Sexualized images (including underwear or revealing photos)

• Hate speech or violent content

• Abusive comments toward staff

Keep It Legal and Safe

• Don’t break any laws

• Don’t give or act on medical advice

• Don’t share private contact information

No Commercial Activity

• No advertising, fundraising, or self-promotion

• Don’t post affiliate links, external sales offers, or ask for donations

• Don’t solicit private contact to promote anything

• You can include one link in your signature with one line of explanation (default font size only)

You can review or recommend a product, surgeon, or hospital only if:

• It’s based on your own experience

• You have no financial interest in what you’re recommending

Account Use

• One account per person. One person per account.

• Having trouble logging in? Contact us for help.

No Cross-Posting

• Don’t post the same message in multiple places.

• Don’t repeat your question or topic more than once.

• It’s fine if you ask a question that’s been asked before — don’t spam.

Final Tip: Tone Matters Online

Text lacks tone and body language, so it’s easy to sound harsher than you mean. Before posting, reread your message and ask yourself how it might come across. A little effort goes a long way.

Please let us know if you have any questions about the rules. Thanks for keeping BariatricPal positive and supportive.