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Published on: September 22, 2023
Struggling with food and eating--life after major upper gastrointestinal surgery
Sharon Carey1, Rachel Laws, Suzie Ferrie
1Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia, sharon.carey@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
Purpose:
Few qualitative studies have explored patients' experience of food and eating following major upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery. The aim of this article was to explore the longer-term impact of different types of major upper gastrointestinal surgeries on people's relationship with food.
Methods:
Twenty-six people having had major upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery greater than 6 months ago participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to explore a person's physical, emotional and social relationship with food and eating following surgery. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.
Results:
Interview findings revealed a journey of adjustment, grieving and resignation. The physical symptoms and experiences of people differed between types of surgery, but the coping mechanisms remained the same.
Conclusions:
The grieving and resignation people experienced suggest adjustment and coping similar to that of someone with a chronic illness. Remodeling of health services is needed to ensure this patient group receives ongoing management and support.
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