A Qualitative Exploration of Postoperative Bariatric Patients' Psychosocial Support for Long-Term Weight Loss and Psychological Wellbeing.

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.