Wishing for deburdening through a sustainable control after bariatric surgery

摘要

The aim of this study was an in-depth investigation of the change process experienced by patients undergoing bariatricnsurgery. A prospective interview study was performed prior to as well as 1 and 2 years after surgery. Data analyses of thentranscribed interviews were performed by means of the Grounded Theory method. A core category was identified: Wishingnfor deburdening through a sustainable control over eating and weight, comprising three related categories: hoping forndeburdening and control through surgery, feeling deburdened and practising control through physical restriction, andnfeeling deburdened and trying to maintain control by own willpower. Before surgery, the participants experienced little ornno control in relation to food and eating and hoped that the bariatric procedure would be the first brick in the building of anfoundation that would lead to control in this area. The control thus achieved in turn affected the participants’ relationship tonthemselves, their roles in society, and the family as well as to health care. One year after surgery they reported establishednroutines regarding eating as well as higher self-esteem due to weight loss. In family and society they set limits and in relationnto health care staff they felt their concern and reported satisfaction with the surgery. After 2 years, fear of weight gainnresurfaced and their self-image was modified to be more realistic. They were no longer totally self-confident about theirncondition, but realised that maintaining control was a matter of struggle to obtaining a foundation of sustainable control.nBetween 1 and 2 years after surgery, the physical control mechanism over eating habits started to more or less fade for allnparticipants. An implication is that when this occurs, health care professionals need to provide interventions that help tonmaintain the weight loss in order to achieve a good long-term outcome.