Background and Objective: Despite the effectiveness of bariatric surgery in weight reduction, the psychosocial adaptation process of patients following this intervention has not been adequately elucidated. The present study aimed to develop a conceptual model of psychosocial adaptation in individuals with obesity after bariatric surgery.
Methods: This qualitative study employed a grounded theory approach using the systematic design of Strauss and Corbin (2015). Data were collected through 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews with individuals who had undergone sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass surgery at least six months prior. Purposive sampling was initiated and continued with theoretical sampling until category saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted concurrently with data collection through open, axial, and selective coding.
Results: Data analysis led to the identification of 255 initial concepts and five main categories, including: (1) gradual psychosocial erosion caused by chronic obesity, (2) unequal preparation for entering surgery and its subsequent challenges, (3) social regulation of the adaptation process, (4) active actions to rebuild psychosocial balance, and (5) relative stabilization of adaptation with fluctuation. The core category was identified as "ongoing effort to rebuild fragile psychosocial balance in the process of adapting to life after bariatric surgery," reflecting the dynamic, gradual, and fragile nature of this process.
Conclusion: This model can serve as a theoretical framework for a deeper understanding of patients' lived experiences and for designing pre- and post-surgical interventions with a focus on psychosocial dimensions.