Women's experience of their bodies after weight loss surgery

• Main Author: Keilty, Mary
• Published: Royal Holloway, University of London 2013
• Subjects: 362.19743
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.604645

Weight loss surgery (WLS) is currently the treatment of choice for morbidly obese individuals in the UK (NICE, 2006). A wealth of positive outcomes for body image and well-being are reported in the literature. However studies have failed to explore the longer term outcomes and less positive impacts of surgery, for example excess skin and weight regain. Seven women who underwent successful WLS at least two years ago were interviewed in order to explore their experience of their changing body. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA; Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009) was used to identify themes and connections across the women's accounts. Four master themes transpired; 'control and agency', 'the body as an object', 'living in my 'new' body' and 'it's a turbulent journey'. Findings speak to the construct of body image and highlight how body experience was fluid and evolving and impacted by the personal meanings given to bodily changes. Understanding the meaning given to the complex and broad ranging impacts of a changing body are vital if clinical models and intervention are to respond effectively to the needs of this unique patient group. Several possible implications for practice were put forward.