Weight regain after bariatric surgery: A phenomenological approach

Abstract

Objective: To understand the experience of weight regain after bariatric surgery. Methods: Qualitative study conducted in a public hospital in the city of São Paulo. Data were collected between March and May 2017 through interviews with 17 participants and ended when the content of reports fulfilled the goal of the investigation. Analysis of meanings was guided by the theoretical-philosophical framework by Alfred Schütz and experts from the social phenomenology field. Results: The adopted framework revealed four categories that express the existential reasons of the attitudes of people who regain weight after bariatric surgery: “feeling of failure emerges with weight regain”, “emotional aspects that contribute to weight regain”, “impact of weight regain on physical and mental health”, and “expectations regarding weight regain”. Conclusion: The results of the present study allow to emphasize the importance of qualified listening and embracement of subjective issues which take into account the relationship that each patient establishes with obesity and bariatric surgery. The aspects of the weight regain experience emphasized in the examined social group May support the improvement of professional practices and add to health teaching, research, and knowledge.