| Learning Objective #1: understand from a qualitative perspective how significant, sustained weight loss changes the persons sense of self and self in relation to others. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: describe two to three themes that emerged from the qualitative data on the lived experience of the successful bariatric surgical patient. |
Morbid obesity represents serious health risks and increased mortality. Morbidly obese individuals are increasingly turning to bariatric surgery for treatment of this seemingly chronic, intractable condition. Although studies on the physiologic outcomes of bariatric surgery have been done, little research has been done to determine the effects on the quality of life of individuals undergoing this procedure. In particular, little is known about the lived experience of the patient with sustained, significant excess weight loss and how this experience alters the sense of self and self-in-relation to others. Therefore, a study which employed a qualitative, phenomenological approach was conducted to examine the lived experience of a group of female bariatric surgical patients who sustained significant, sustained excess weight loss. Individuals fitting the study criteria were individually interviewed. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and thematically analyzed in light of Merleau Ponty’s work on embodiment and extant theory on body image, body image distortion, and reimaging. Based on the results of this study a number of themes emerged that can be used to provide improved anticipatory guidance and support to individual’s who have undergone or are planning to undergo this procedure.
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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)