Patients' perceptions following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Sorry or satisfied?

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the dominant weight-loss surgery in Australia (70.1%).
• Limited qualitative research exists on Australian patients' post-LSG experiences.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for informed decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Australian patients' perspectives following LSG.
• To provide insights for shared decision-making processes.
• To identify key themes in the long-term patient journey post-LSG.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 22 patients 1-3 years post-LSG.
• In-depth telephone interviews were conducted.
• Inductive analysis of qualitative data was performed.

Main Results:

• Three global themes emerged: normality, control, and ambivalence.
• Eight sub-themes included weight, physical changes, exercise, emotional responses, eating behavior, societal influences, body image, and relationships.
• Patients reported high satisfaction with physical and psychosocial benefits.

Conclusions:

• LSG provides substantial benefits beyond metabolic improvements.
• The decision for LSG requires understanding its permanent impact on patients' lives.
• Patient experiences highlight the multifaceted nature of life after LSG.