Metabolic Outcomes and Patient Experiences After Bariatric Surgery in a Public Health Setting — A Mixed-Methods Study
1
Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
2
Post Graduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Obesity remains one of the main global health challenges, and bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for severe obesity, producing rapid anthropometric and metabolic improvements. However, fewer studies examine how patients interpret these early changes in daily life. This study assessed biochemical and anthropometric outcomes and patients’ lived experiences during the first six months after gastric bypass. Material and
METHODS:
This is a mixed-methods study with an explanatory sequential approach, carried out in a public university hospital in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The quantitative phase included the analysis of data from 35 patients, extracted from medical records between 2020 and 2024. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides), and blood glucose were evaluated at two time points: two months before and six months after surgery. Time comparisons were conducted using the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon test. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 11 patients selected from the quantitative sample at six months after surgery, whose narratives were analyzed using a thematic approach and triangulated with clinical data.
RESULTS:
Quantitative results showed statistically significant reductions in body weight, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Qualitative results, observed through patients’ narratives, indicated significant gains in quality of life, pain reduction, and improved mobility, but also highlighted challenges related to dietary adaptation, side effects, and the importance of family and professional support in the postoperative period. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings revealed strong alignment between anthropometric and biochemical improvements and patients’ perceptions.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings demonstrate that bariatric surgery positively impacts both clinical outcomes and patients' subjective health perceptions within the context of the Brazilian public health system. Qualitative insights highlighted their critical role during the postoperative period.
Obesity remains one of the main global health challenges, and bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for severe obesity, producing rapid anthropometric and metabolic improvements. However, fewer studies examine how patients interpret these early changes in daily life. This study assessed biochemical and anthropometric outcomes and patients’ lived experiences during the first six months after gastric bypass. Material and
METHODS:
This is a mixed-methods study with an explanatory sequential approach, carried out in a public university hospital in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The quantitative phase included the analysis of data from 35 patients, extracted from medical records between 2020 and 2024. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides), and blood glucose were evaluated at two time points: two months before and six months after surgery. Time comparisons were conducted using the paired t-test or the Wilcoxon test. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 11 patients selected from the quantitative sample at six months after surgery, whose narratives were analyzed using a thematic approach and triangulated with clinical data.
RESULTS:
Quantitative results showed statistically significant reductions in body weight, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, and fasting glucose (p < 0.05). Qualitative results, observed through patients’ narratives, indicated significant gains in quality of life, pain reduction, and improved mobility, but also highlighted challenges related to dietary adaptation, side effects, and the importance of family and professional support in the postoperative period. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings revealed strong alignment between anthropometric and biochemical improvements and patients’ perceptions.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings demonstrate that bariatric surgery positively impacts both clinical outcomes and patients' subjective health perceptions within the context of the Brazilian public health system. Qualitative insights highlighted their critical role during the postoperative period.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
