Surgery for morbid obesity: the patients' experiences.

A survey of 123 adult patients who had undergone surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity was conducted to obtain data on patients' perceptions of preparation for surgery, care received during hospitalization, postoperative physical changes, changes in food tolerance, self-concept before and after surgery, work experience before and after surgery, and the relative importance of various forms of follow-up care. The study has implications for nursing practice in early diagnosis of patient problems, improved anticipatory teaching, and better training of health care professionals to assist the morbidly obese patient. The tolerable and nontolerable food lists generated from the data represent a significant contribution to patient care.