Patient Motivations and Goals for Bariatric Surgery: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background: Existing research has primarily focused on weight as the outcome of interest for bariatric surgery; however, patients frequently report other lifestyle and interpersonal surgery motivations and goals. Understanding the spectrum of bariatric surgery goals and motivations has important implications for enhancing patient-centered care and surgery outcomes.

Objectives: The current study characterized the nature of bariatric patient motivations and goals for surgery, described the extent to which motivations matched goals, and examined whether men and women differed in the specific motivations/goals described.

Setting: Teaching hospital, United States METHODS: Data were obtained via retrospective chart review of bariatric patient responses to the clinic's standard open-ended questions about motivations and goals for bariatric surgery. A mixed method approach was used, including content analysis, to identify themes and χ²/t test analyses to test gender differences.

Results: Surgery motivations and outcome goals were reflected by 8 overarching and overlapping themes. The most common motivations were related to general health and quality of life. The most common goals were to improve health/longevity and mobility. Over a quarter of patients showed no overlap between motivations and goals. Few gender differences were observed.

Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of goals beyond weight loss, as well as the utility of helping patients shape their goals in accordance with goal-setting theories.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Goals; Mixed methods; Motivation; Obesity.