Living with my small stomach: The experiences of post-bariatric surgery patients within 1 year after discharge.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore how patients adapt to their changed body and life within the first year of receiving bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is used to treat severely obese patients. Most studies investigating the postsurgery period are about weight loss related issues. However, few studies have investigated these patients' subjective live experiences within the first year after discharge.

DESIGN: A qualitative research using grounded theory method was applied.

METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 participants with a mean age of 34.5 years. The constant comparative method was used to analyse the interview data.

FINDINGS: The core concept of "living with my small stomach" indicates that postbariatric patients are confronted with multidimensional challenges over time in their live experiences. Post-bariatric surgery patients felt "unexpected body discomforts" in the initial period after discharge. Qualitative analysis generated two different types of living processes-either in the "life modification" process or a "suffering" process. The associated categories and subcategories delineated the living process after discharge. In the life modification process, five categories were identified: "being forced to change meal habits," "bad feelings due to unsatisfied eating desires," "choosing food for quality rather than quantity," "persisting and confronting" and "getting support from family members." In the suffering process, three categories were identified: "health becoming worse due to loss of albumin," "suffering from bad health" and "emotional disturbances." Finally, most participants would engage in "valuing my changed body" by "doing the right things and maintaining my new life."

CONCLUSIONS: How to modify one's life is the main concern of postbariatric patients. These patients need to either engage in the process of making life modifications or suffer from complications.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Patients need support and health education regarding living with their small stomach. In addition, we should be more sensitive about the need to detect malabsorption early.