Abstract

Background:
There is a limited amount of research into the experiences of those who have undergone bariatric surgery, and how this impacts on their everyday lives and social interactions.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 18 participants (11 female, 7 male) who had undergone permanent bariatric surgical procedures 5-24 months prior to interview at a large NHS hospital in North East England. Constructivist grounded theory was used, with a constant comparative analytic framework.
Results
Participants conceptualised social encounters after bariatric surgery as being underpinned by risk. Their attitudes towards social situations guided their actions in the context of social interaction. Three profiles of attitudes towards risk were constructed: Risk Accepters, Risk
Contenders and Risk Challengers. These profiles were based on participant-reported narratives of their experiences in the first two years post-surgically
Conclusions
The social complexities occurring as a consequence of bariatric surgery require adjustments to patients’ lives. Participants reported that the social aspects of bariatric surgery do not appear to be widely understood by those who have had bariatric surgery. The three risk attitude profiles that emerged from our data offer an understanding of ways in which patients adjust to life and can be used reflexively by healthcare professionals in the support of patients both pre- and post-operatively.