title: Identity transformation and a changed lifestyle following dramatic weight loss and body-contouring surgery: An exploratory study.
abstract: This article reports on two major quality-of-life perception changes for patients who had undergone plastic surgery following dramatic weight loss. The exploratory, qualitative study was undertaken with 20 patients from one teaching hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. The results provide unique glimpses of surgical consumption empowering and facilitating 'identity transformation', embracing improved physical function and enhanced self-esteem, confidence and quality of life, and a 'changed lifestyle'. For a minority, identity transformation was sometimes interrupted by 'identity lag', posing the need for additional health-care support throughout the adjustment process. The study provides additional insight into existing quantitative studies, adding to the body of knowledge in this area.
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds, UK St George's Hospital, UK j.gilmartin@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilmartin
authors.affiliation: University of Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: St George's Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soldin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: adults; body shape; body-contouring surgery; identity transformation; obesity; psychological distress; quality of life; self-perception; weight loss