Exploring Nutrition and Lifestyle Modifications Among Women Post Bariatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Introduction: To better understand the factors that contribute to long-term weight change in women who have undergone bariatric surgery, this qualitative study will focus on eating behavior and examine the impact of patients' social environment, psychological factors, and behavioral patterns. Method: In this qualitative study, we adopted a phenomenological approach to the exploration of women's experiences of bariatric surgery. We conducted in-depth individual semi-structured interviews to explore their perceptions, feelings, and ideas regarding post-surgical support. The study was conducted between November and December 2023 and included 20 female participants who were over 18 years old, had undergone bariatric surgery at least two years prior, and had experienced a weight gain of at least 10% 2-3 years after their surgery. Results: Notably, the last recorded BMI was 31.3 kg/m2. The study findings indicate that overfeeding was a common occurrence among the participants, with 60% reporting overeating due to enjoyment and 40% due to necessity. Before the operation, 40% of the participants had a healthy diet, while 60% had a high consumption of unhealthy snacks. 50% of individuals who had an unhealthy diet before the operation adopted healthy nutrition as a lifestyle. Additionally, 70% had a family history of obesity problems, 60% had struggled with weight management since childhood, and 80% had health problems that required obesity-related operations. Conclusion: The study revealed that all participants experienced positive changes in their lives after surgery. Larger-scale studies are necessary to evaluate post-operative eating behaviors after bariatric surgery.