Title : Perioperative health management needs of patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery: A qualitative study
Abstract:
Patients undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) face substantial changes in treatment tasks, lifestyle behaviors, and self-management responsibilities throughout the perioperative period. Understanding their health management needs is essential for providing patient-centered and stage-appropriate nursing support. This study aimed to explore the perioperative health management needs of patients undergoing MBS from the decision to undergo surgery through hospital discharge. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted from April to June 2026 in the metabolic surgery department of a tertiary hospital in China. Seventeen adult patients undergoing MBS were recruited using purposive sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted one day before discharge. Participants were guided to retrospectively describe their experiences and health management needs from the decision to undergo surgery through preoperative preparation and early postoperative recovery. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Patients health management needs varied across different stages of the perioperative period. During the decision and evaluation stage, patients expressed needs for professional and reliable information, decision support, and psychological support, particularly when facing uncertainty regarding surgical risks, treatment outcomes, and postoperative lifestyle changes. During the preoperative preparation stage, patients required clearer treatment-related information, expectation management, and support in adapting to intensive examinations, fasting requirements, and rapidly progressing treatment processes. During the early in-hospital postoperative recovery stage, patients emphasized effective symptom management, individualized rehabilitation guidance, and preparation for self-management after discharge. In particular, concerns regarding diet and nutrition, medication management, recognition of abnormal symptoms, and adjustment to postoperative lifestyle changes became increasingly prominent as discharge approached. These findings indicate that patients priorities shift continuously with treatment progression and that unmet needs may occur at multiple points during perioperative care. Health management needs among patients undergoing MBS demonstrate clear stage-specific characteristics. Nursing professionals should provide timely and individualized support according to patients changing needs across the perioperative period, with particular attention to reliable information provision, treatment expectation management, individualized rehabilitation, psychological support, and preparation for post-discharge self-management.
