| 1. |
- Lindberg, Susan, et al.
(författare)
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Facing an unexpected reality - oscillating between health and suffering 4-6 years after bariatric surgery
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 36:4, s. 1074-1082
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant public health problem that is on the increase worldwide, and treatment with bariatric surgery is becoming more and more common. This type of surgery has proved to be good for weight reduction and for preventing complications, but few studies have investigated patients' long-term experiences of health and suffering.AIM: To explore people's experiences of health after bariatric surgery. What are their thoughts about their life, body and sexuality?METHODS: This study is based on semi-structured interviews with eight women and eight men, 4-6 years after bariatric surgery. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and resulted in 5 main themes and 14 subthemes.RESULTS: The new body enabled a healthy life due to better treatment in society, enhanced self-esteem, the pleasure of purchasing clothes and the courage to become more sexually active. At the same time, the body could be experienced as so unfamiliar that their life was dominated by despondency, a lack of freedom and a feeling of being lost, which made them wish to return to their old body.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The participants received extensive information before as well as follow-up conversations up to one year after surgery. Nevertheless, they all experienced that changing from life as an obese person to a radically reduced body often meant a confrontation with an unexpected reality that oscillated between health and suffering. This indicates that preparedness for the life changes that bariatric surgery may entail is inadequate and that moving towards health and suffering takes its own time. Therefore, more time should be allocated to talking about how life is and can become in the long term, which may facilitate a dialogical, person-centred approach to the setbacks and situations each person needs to manage in order to improve her/his health.
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| 2. |
- Wennström, Berith, et al.
(författare)
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Being Caught in a Vicious Circle : An Interview Study of Individuals Suffering From Grade II–IV Hiatal Hernia
- 2023
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Ingår i: Gastroenterology Nursing. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 1042-895X .- 1538-9766. ; 46:6, s. 489-496
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Large paraesophageal hernias are related to life-threatening complications that warrant immediate surgery. Whether the long-standing chronic symptoms related to the disease in individuals without hernia incarceration motivate surgical treatment is still a subject for discussion. The aim of this study was to explore how individuals suffering from Grade II–IV hiatal hernia describe their symptoms and health, as well as how the disease affects their life. Semistructured interviews were performed with 22 individuals planning to undergo surgery for a large paraesophageal hernia. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and resulted in one main theme “Being caught in a vicious circle” and six subthemes “Distressing and uncertain times,” “The symptoms have seized control over my health,” “Loss of energy and strength,” “Strategies for managing daily life,” “Loss of social life,” and “Moments of hope despite failing health.” Central to the participants’ descriptions is their commitment to strategies for managing the ever-present and unpredictable symptoms that have seized control over their health. They were trapped in a hopeless and isolated existence, that is, a vicious circle, from which they were unable to escape. Despite the low incidence of volvulus and incarceration, the symptom burden and effect on general health motivate treatment in these individuals.
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| 3. |
- Wennström, Berith, et al.
(författare)
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Patient experience of health and care when undergoing colorectal surgery within the ERAS program
- 2020
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Ingår i: Perioperative Medicine. - : Springer. - 2047-0525. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundSeveral studies show that the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program reduces complications postoperatively and leads to faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. However, little is known about patients’ self-reported health in an enhanced recovery context. The aim of this study was firstly to describe patient experiences of health within the concept of ERAS after colorectal (CR) surgery during a hospital stay and within 2 weeks of discharge. Secondly, to explore whether the ASA classification/co-morbidity, sex, and surgical method affect the patient’s experience of health.MethodsData were collected through the ERAS-HEALTH questionnaire, including two open-ended questions, and through telephone interviews postoperatively. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was used. Patients undergoing CR surgery (n = 80) were included from October 2016 to June 2018.ResultsThe patients had mainly positive experiences of their hospital stay as well as most of them felt comfortable coming home. However, experienced state of health is affected by factors like surgical method and co-morbidity. Improvements were desired concerning information, food/food intake, pain management, and environment. At home, the patients experienced a lack of information about food/food intake and ostomy care. Decreased appetite and difficulties with micturition were also described. The most troublesome symptom was postoperative fatigue (POF). Analysis of the ERAS-HEALTH questionnaire showed that patients with higher co-morbidity and those who underwent open surgery have a significantly worse experience of their health compared with patients who underwent laparoscopy. However, it seems that the surgical method affects postoperative health to a greater extent than co-morbidity.ConclusionsThe patients reported many positive aspects and challenges when being cared for within the ERAS program. However, several improvements are needed to satisfy patient wishes regarding their care both in hospital and at home. Laparoscopic surgery affects patient state of health positively in several respects compared with open surgery.
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