Common Physiological and Psychological Problems Among Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients

Khalil Hafez, Marwa; M. Weheida, Soheir; Hany Ashoor, Mohammad; Abd Allah Abd El Hafeez, Naglaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.334858

Common Physiological and Psychological Problems Among Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Associate. Prof. of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Faculty of Nursing. Alexandria University, Egypt.

² Prof. of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Faculty of Nursing. Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Associate. Prof. of Surgery. Institute of Medical Research. Alexandria University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2023.334858

Abstract

Bariatric surgery now is considered the most effective solution of morbid obesity or obesity with associated medical conditions. Despite bariatric surgery could provide a significant weight loss, a considerable portion of patients does not achieve relevant outcomes, in terms of limited weight loss or weight regain due to physical and psychological problems. Aim: the study aimed to identify the common physiological and psychological problems among post-bariatric surgery patients. Setting: The study was conducted at the Surgical Outpatient Clinics of the Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt. Subjects: Data was collected from 150 adult patients who underwent bariatric surgeries and divided into 3 equal groups 50 patients each according to the postoperative period. Tool: One tool including 3 parts was used to collect the necessary data: Post bariatric surgery patients’ assessment structured interview schedule. Results: Regarding the most common physiological problems, the majority of the studied patients had GIT problems such as nausea, emesis, dumping syndrome and abdominal fullness during the first four months postoperatively with significant statistical relations with the postoperative period where p = (0.000, 0.000, 0.008, and 0.010) respectively. Also, 64.0% of patients complained of fatigue during the (9 – 12 months) postoperatively with statistically significant relation as p = 0.000. Additionally, the majority of the studied patients had dermatological problems as dry skin and hair loss during the (9 – 12 months) postoperatively as (p = 0.000, and 0.000 respectively) and impaired physical activity as (p = 0.004). Psychological problems were identified such as anxiety disorders during the (9 – 12 months) period among 72.0% of patients with significant statistical relations where p = 0.000. Conclusion: Identification of the physiological and psychological conditions of patients post bariatric surgery are highly needed to achieve appropriate post-bariatric surgery outcomes for a long time. Recommendation: Replication of the study on large probability sampling.

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