Patients’ Experiences of Treatment Burden After Bariatric Surgery—An Exploratory Study of Sex- and Gender Differences

Background As treatment for severe obesity, bariatric surgery results in permanent changes to the body and requires lifestyle changes that are often life-long. The problems and challenges that people experience after bariatric surgery have not been systematically studied in regard to sex- and gender differences, although literature suggests that sex differences do exist. Methods To study the problems and challenges that people experience after bariatric surgery, the innovative concept of treatment burden (TB) was used. TB goes beyond the experience of symptoms and looks at the broader challenges that patients may experience such as physical, technical, logistical, and sense-making challenges. Using a literature review of qualitative studies as well as a short qualitative survey among Swedish patients that had undergone bariatric surgery, attributes of TB after bariatric surgery were explored as well as possible sex- and gender differences. Results The results of the literature review showed that challenges related to making sense, mentally coping with the period after treatment, and technical aspects of coping with the aftermath of surgery were the most experienced among patients. Although quantitative studies showed clear sex- and gender differences in complaints and outcomes between men and women, these were not assessed in qualitative studies. Conclusions TB as experienced by patients after bariatric surgery is a multidimensional concept that asks for a holistic approach of treatment after bariatric surgery. Although literature suggests sex- and gender differences in the personal experiences after surgery, more research is needed to be able to provide gender-sensitive care.