The experience of regaining weight following weight loss surgery: A narrative-phenomenological exploration

Abstract

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is gaining ground as the most effective treatment against obesity. In the literature, however, we see a divide among individuals who have undergone WLS based on the amount of weight lost and maintained: successful and unsuccessful patients. In this article, we focus on the notion of unsuccessful patients-exploring the accounts of three women who have regained weight following WLS. In doing so, we endeavor to better understand how weight regain has meaning, and its impact and implications for the lives of individuals who undergo WLS. The findings reveal how weight-regain stories are easily silenced, buried beneath social, cultural, and institutional/medical narratives of successful weight loss and transformation. People who have such experiences may feel reticent to reveal them and in doing so increase their own suffering, therefore leaving the popular narratives unchallenged.

‘The rollercoaster of follow‐up care’ after bariatric surgery: a rapid review and qualitative synthesis

“…To qualify in the public health service you have to have a BMI of less than 30. This really saddened and frustrated me...’ …”

“…Many patients were dissatisfied that regular care stopped at this transition time . In general, the duration of the follow‐up programme offered was not reported (Table ) but where reported patients were offered follow‐up care for 1 year , 1.5 years and 5 years .…”

“…Support and help with emotional eating was desired, often by those experiencing weight regain . Patients were aware of their emotional eating behaviour but expressed a need for help and support to change their behaviour .…”

“…Then I moved in with my new boyfriend and things got a bit turbulent. I put on more weight during the following summer and found I'd regained half of what I'd lost’ .…”

“…As previously discussed in the HCP factors theme, patients valued individualized, patient centred specialist care with active patient participation . The quality of individual appointments varied, with reported experiences varying from good to disappointing : ‘I need the accountability, I need to know that actually someone's going to say I need to see you, we need to get you on the scales, which is why coming back here (outpatient clinic) is really good …’ . The opportunity of long‐term continuity of care with either a specialist HCP or GP allowed advice to be tailored to the individual patient .…”