Background: Overweight and obesity has increased worldwide and is a leading cause of preventable death. This has led to the quantity of bariatric surgical procedures in Sweden increasing. Research has identified significant medical benefits such as long-term weight loss, improved risk factors and significant reduction of mortality resulting from the surgery, however research focusing on the experiences of patients has not been undertaken to the same degree. The increasing incidence of overweight and obesity suggest that this patient group will continue to increase each year. Knowledge about the experience of bariatric surgery, including the challenges it represents from the patients’ perspective, is essential for nurses in order to provide the best possible care. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the patient’s experiences after undergoing bariatric surgery beyond the initial post-operative period of 6 months. Method: This study has been conducted as a literature review of nine qualitative scientific nursing articles. The data was analysed by conducting a manifest content analysis. Result: The results found that experiences after bariatric surgery beyond the initial post-operative period were both positive and negative. How the individuals adapted to the changes the surgery entailed was found to be a strong factor in determining the nature of the experience. Two main categories emerged from the data; ‘Enforced Structure’ and ‘A Complete Transformation’. Conclusion: Undergoing bariatric surgery results in extensive and complex changes for this patient group to adapt to. Exploring their experiences has allowed factors for successful and challenging adaption to these changes to be identified. Nursing professionals can use this knowledge to help guide bariatric patients towards a successful adaption to the multitude of changes that surgery encompasses.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:bth-754 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Andersson, Emma |
| Publisher | Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för hälsa |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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