Eating attitudes, perceptions of body image and patient quality of life before and after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Aim: This study examined eating attitudes, perceptions of body image and quality of life of patients before and after bariatric surgery. Methods: This prospective, descriptive study was conducted with fifty patients between April 23, 2018 and November 05, 2018. The data were collected by a survey form, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Body Image Perception Questionnaire and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. The data collection instruments were applied before the surgery and at 1, 3 and 6 months following the surgery. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.34 +/- 10.89 years, 78% were females, 44% were university graduates, 80% were married, 78% had a child, 70% were employed, 80% were morbidly obese before the surgery, and 36% were morbidly obese at the first month following the surgery. It was also determined that there was no morbid obesity among the patients, and 84% of the patients were obese at the third month following the surgery. At the sixth postoperative month, 24% of the patients were found to be obese, and 8% had normal weight. It was determined that the patients' eating attitudes and behaviours changed significantly after the surgery in comparison to their pre-surgery values (p= 0.001). The body image perceptions and quality of life of the patients during the postoperative period were found to be significantly higher in comparison to their preoperative values (p= 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that multidimensional evaluation of patients and implementation of nursing interventions contributed positively to individuals undergoing bariatric surgery based on healthy lifestyle behaviours.