A qualitative exploration of postoperative bariatric patients’ psychosocial support for long-term weight loss and psychological wellbeing

Van Zyl, Natascha; Lusher, Jo; Meyrick, Jane

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of research exploring postoperative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients exceeding 2 years, and therefore, an interdisciplinary postoperative approach is warranted. This qualitative study explored the psychosocial support that bariatric surgery patients feel they need to sustain long-term weight loss and their psychological wellbeing. Methods: Fifteen postoperative patients participated in recorded semi-structured online interviews that were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Results: Three themes and six subthemes emerged. Theme 1, Journey to surgery, has two subthemes: Deep roots and Breaking point. Theme 2, The precipice of change, has two sub-themes: Continuity of care and Can’t cut the problem out. Theme 3, Bridging the Gap, has two subthemes: Doing it together and Taking back the reigns. The inconsistencies participants experienced in their pre- and postoperative care led to dissonance, and they felt unprepared for the demands of life postoperatively. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is a catalyst for physical change, but surgery alone is insufficient to ensure sustained change. Surgical and psychosocial interventions are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive. Patients favour an integrative, personalised, stepped-care approach pre- and postoperatively, with active participation fostering autonomy and access to ongoing support extending into the long-term.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 6, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2024
• Publication Date: Feb 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 25, 2024
• Journal: Behavioral Sciences
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-328X
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 122
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020122
• Keywords: qualitative; postoperative; bariatric; surgery; psychosocial support; long term; weight loss; wellbeing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11676659
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/2/122