Perception of patients after bariatric surgery on quality of life

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at understanding the perception of bariatric patients about their Quality of Life (QoL) after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Descriptive and qualitative study performed at a reference hospital for bariatric surgery in the State of Ceara/Brazil. Subjects were 27 patients who were experiencing postoperative and data collection was made from interviews with semi-structured document. Data was subjected to qualitative content analysis, which allowed the emergence of categories: “In searching for a healthier life”; “The weight cycling villain and failure in other treatments”; “The meaning of quality of life and a reflection of obesity in daily life”; “The effects on quality of life of individuals after bariatric surgery”. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee (CEP 538/2011).

Results: For most patients, QoL is defined as having a healthy life with the possibility of exercising without tiring easily, being able to eat properly, performing better at work and having a more active social life.

Conclusions: Thus, it is seen that bariatric surgery was effective on QoL improvements on self-esteem, self-care, work performance, leisure and social relationships.