%0 Journal Article
%T The Work behind Weight-Loss Surgery: A Qualitative Analysis of Food Intake after the First Two Years Post-Op
%A Angela A. Geraci
%A Ardith Brunt
%A Cindy Marihart
%J ISRN Obesity
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/427062
%X Purpose. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and has nearly doubled worldwide since 1980. Bariatric surgery is on the rise, but little focus has been placed on the psychosocial impacts of surgery. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery at least two years before to gain an understanding of the successes and challenges they have faced since surgery. Methods. This study used a phenomenological approach, to investigate the meaning and essence of bariatric patients with food after surgery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a sample of nine participants who had undergone surgery at least two years prior. Findings. Two main themes regarding food intake emerged from the data: (a) food after the first year post-surgery and (b) bariatric surgery is not a magic pill. Upon further analysis, food after the first year post-surgery had four subthemes emerge: diet adherence after the first year post-surgery, food intolerances, amount of food, and tendencies toward coping with food do not magically disappear. Conclusion. Findings revealed that post-operative diet and exercise adherence becomes increasingly difficult as weight loss slows. Many participants find that only after the first year after surgery the work really begins. 1. Introduction/Purpose Obesity is now a global public health issue and has nearly doubled worldwide since 1980 [1]. Global obesity estimates from 2008 reported that 35% of adults over the age of 20 were overweight and 11% were considered obese [1]. In addition, obesity rates continue to rise and remain epidemic in the United Sates, as well. More than two-thirds of American adults (68.8%) are considered overweight or obese and more than one-third (35.7%) of adults are obese, constituting more than 78 million American men and women [2]. Individuals who are considered morbidly, or clinically severely, obese (those with BMI of 35 in addition to documented health problems or those with a BMI over 40) are considered potential candidates for bariatric surgery [3]. Individuals elect to undergo bariatric surgery hoping to achieve long-term weight loss and to improve obesity-related comorbid conditions [4]. In 2008, nearly 350,000 bariatric procedures were performed globally [5], with an estimated 220,000 in the United States alone [6]. However, questions still arise on long-term success and its effect on weight loss maintenance and prevention of the return of lifestyle diseases [4, 7]. Previous research indicated that, about a year and a half to two years after
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.obesity/2014/427062/