Biopsychosocial Factors Involved in Decision-Making Process to Submit to Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the decision-making process for implementation of bariatric surgery, the meanings attributed to overweight and surgery. Was conducted semi-structured individual interviews with six participants. The data were submitted to the examination of thematic content. The etiological factors of overweight were: anxiety, eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, stressor events and biological trends. The decision to perform the surgery was characterized by the expectation of results for health, social relations, work and self-esteem. The surgery was a radical change, achieved by instant weight loss and care in post-surgical. The decision to conduct this procedure requires a period of psychological assessment, psychological preparation and monitoring of the patient before and after surgery, considering overweight, nutritional needs and surgery meanings, promoting integration between expectations and conditions to the long term patient psychosocial adjustment.

Keywords

• bariatric surgery
• obesity
• biopsychosocial factors
• decision
• health