Experiences of the Bariatric Pre-Surgery Evaluation Process in a National Health Service—An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

There is currently little understanding of bariatric patients’ experiences and expectations the pre-surgery evaluation (PSE) process. This especially true for patients within National Health Service (NHS) in UK. Consequently, this study undertakes a qualitative to explore PSE amongst who had undergone surgery NHS UK, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three inter-related superordinate themes were presented: (i) ‘PSE was challenging but essential’, (ii) ‘Coping processes deal with PSE’, (iii) ‘Staff service evaluation’. Most participants conflicting feelings about process as it both positive negative impacts on their wellbeing. The considered essential preparation successful post-surgery adjustment, though uncertainty approval experienced very distressing. utilised external internal coping strategies, such social support, researching, or ‘toeing line’. Participants’ encouraged them provide feedback staff service, which revealed preference tailored emerged represent an initial framework helping healthcare providers researchers involve delivery thereby facilitating patient-centred approach. A starting point audit perspectives routinely. Further investigations are needed better define, validate, understand constructs identified study.