Transformation: The “Life-Changing” Experience of Women Who Undergo a Surgical Weight Loss Intervention

Abstract

Purpose: To develop an understanding of the post surgical experience of women who choose to undergo a surgical weight loss intervention for management of morbid obesity. Study Design and Methods: The research method was a qualitative, person-centered approach. Using purposeful sampling, 14 women who underwent bariatric surgery were invited to participate. A semi-structured interview was conducted. The transcripts were analyzed for common themes as appropriate for phenomenological inquiry. Words, statements and paragraphs were extracted to identify the experience of these women during the post surgical period. Results: A consistent experience expressed by these participants was that bariatric surgery was a “life-changing” event. Participants overwhelmingly support their decision to undergo a surgical intervention to manage their morbid obesity. Clinical Implications: Following bariatric surgery, these women faced both physiologic and behavioral needs. Inadequate pain management was identified as a common theme during the immediate post surgical period. There also seems to be a loss of social support systems reported beyond the immediate post-surgical period, which extends into months and years following the actual surgical date. These two predominant themes give rise to the need for nurses to continue to assess, implement and evaluate both physical and psychosocial outcomes when providing care to this population.