[Qualitative analysis of factors supporting the motivation for gastric bypass]

Half of Belgium's adult population is overweight and approximately 14% are obese. Apart from organic diseases associated with obesity, the psychological repercussion is very important and requires a specific caring. Conservative treatments containing diet, physical-activity and drugs often show limits in particular when the patient presents food behavioural disorders. The bariatric surgery is presented like an ultimate therapy. It is a specific treatment which involves risks and high cost for the patient. This study is based on a qualitative study including patients coming to a gastric bypass in order to appreciate the surgical indications and to describe the individual motivations which lead the patients to request this intervention. The study consists of semi-structured interviews with hospitalized patients. The majority of the patients do not correspond to the criteria defined by the law. The psychological repercussion of obesity compared to the family sight and the society seems to constitute a crucial factor in the recourse to the gastric bypass. The motivations to undergo this intervention are: importance attached to the physique, need for being with the mode, for answering at the request of a spouse or for decreasing health risks. The social support of the family and friends, during and after the intervention is a key component of the success and the acceptability of the intervention. This study proposes to re-examine the criteria of access to the bariatric surgery and to ensure a psychological accompaniment before and after the intervention. That is important for patients who are badly informed about conditions and consequences of the intervention.