Physical activity is experienced positively among adults with severe obesity, but many obstacles exist that influence their capacity and their will. Support is necessary in different ways, not only to initiate physical activity, but also to maintain it.

Background:The understanding of the association between the objective conditions of health and the subjective perceptions of morbidly obese patients appears to be poor. The use of objective indicators alone produces results totally unrelated to the feelings and experiences of the bariatric patients studied. No study has approached the bariatric patient from both an inside and a preoperative perspective.Purpose:The aim of this study was to investigate the meaning of awaiting bariatric surgery due to morbid obesity. Method: Twenty-three patients admitted to a Swedish University Hospital for bariatric surgery were included. Data were collected by interviews and the analysis was performed using the phenomenological hermeneutics method developed by Lindseth and Norberg.Main Findings:Two structural thematic analyses revealed six main themes: experiencing food as a complex element in life, feeling hopeless regarding weight loss, living in fear of future sickness and death, living a restricted life, being ignored by health care professionals and hoping for control and opportunities. The informants experienced addiction to food and dependence on others for managing their daily life, which constituted an infringement of their freedom. Loss of control meant giving in to the desire for food, but also being subjected to stigmatizing remarks from persons in their environment or uncaring approaches from health care professionals.Conclusion:Being scheduled for bariatric surgery meant developing an awareness of how completely dependent they were on surgery for their survival and prospective health. The scheduled bariatric surgery constituted tangible confirmation that weight loss and restored health were possible.

Background and purpose: Obesity is a major global health problem today and the only evidence-based method leading to a long-lasting weight reduction is bariatric surgery. Physical activity improves health, decreases the incidence of several diseases and may influence weight loss outcome after bariatric surgery. Knowledge regarding how patients experience physical activity after bariatric surgery could provide us with better tools to enhance physically active. Methods:The aim of the present study was to describe how patients experience physical activity one year after bariatric surgery. An inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews with twenty-four patients one year after bariatric surgery. Results:The main findings emerged in four overarching themes: "Hindrances of physical activity", "Physical activity with a less obese body implies achievement", "Coming to an understanding of the benefits of physical activity" and "Need of support". Conclusion:According to our findings patients experience both achievements and hinders with regard to physical activity one year after surgery. Patients had an increased understanding of the benefits of physical activities, but support appears necessary to obtain and maintain a suitable level.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of an elastic abdominal binder after open major upper abdominal surgery. In the trial, 50 patients undergoing major upper abdominal surgery were included, of which 37 were evaluated also postoperatively. The patients were randomized either to use an elastic binder during the first 5 postoperative days or to a standard treatment group. Preoperatively and postoperative days 1, 3 and 5, oxygen saturation and spirometry were investigated. The tests were performed in sitting and supine position. The patients using the binder were additionally tested without the binder. Postoperatively, treatment with oxygen and bronchodilators, signs of pulmonary complications, rate of mobilization, pain when changing position from supine to sitting and length of hospital stay were recorded. The patients who used the binder estimated the degree of comfort of the binder. Lung function deteriorated considerably postoperatively in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the variables. The patients using the binder found it comfortable but reported liking it less at the end of the follow-up period. There is no objective clinical effect of a routine use of an elastic binder after major upper abdominal surgery. However, the majority of the patients using it found it comfortable especially during the first postoperative days.