The ambivalence of losing weight after bariatric surgery.
This study is grounded in a phenomenological lifeworld perspective. It aims at providing rich descriptions of lived experience of the process of losing weight after obesity surgery. Two women participated in in-depth interviews four times each during the first postoperative year. Based on the women's experiences, a meaning structure--the ambivalence of losing weight after obesity surgery--was identified across the women's processes of change. This consisted of five core themes: movement and activity--freedom but new demands and old restraints; eating habits and digestion--the complexity of change; appearance--smaller, but looser; social relations--stability and change; and being oneself--vulnerability and self-assurance. These core themes changed over time in terms of dominance. The experience of ambivalence is discussed according to a phenomenological perspective of the body as lived experience.
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; warstine@hotmail.com.
Christine
C
Warholm
Department of Social Sciences, University College of Sogn and Fjordane, Sogndal, Norway.
Aud
A
Marie Øien
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Målfrid
M
Råheim
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009664:Norway; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
Obesity surgery; lived body; lived experience; phenomenology; weight loss; women