Patient and professional perceptions for long-term success: Developing a framework for bariatric surgery care in Portugal

A multidisciplinary health team for perioperative care of the bariatric patient, sustained in a viable framework, may provide a comprehensive bariatric surgery process analysis. This study aimed to analyse patients' and professionals' experiences with the perioperative care process and identify their perceptions of the bariatric surgery process to support the long-term management of obesity surgical treatment. This study also wants to develop a framework to sustain a long-term follow-up. This qualitative study was conducted in July 2022 at a bariatric surgery centre in southern Portugal, comprising four focus group sessions. Participants included seven health professionals in one focus group and 16 patients divided across three focus groups. Patients were selected based on specific criteria, including those awaiting bariatric surgery and those who had undergone surgery within the past 1 to 5 years. The patient focus group script consisted of 11 open-ended main questions with follow-up prompts to explore motivations, experiences with the presurgery and postsurgery processes and perceptions of lifestyle changes. Sessions lasted between 40 and 70 min. Participants reported the need for a reference professional in the hospital to contact, the importance of psychological support to help patients deal with the ‘ups and downs’ of postsurgery life and the financial support for physical activity programmes. This research helped identify a need for a framework for long-term follow-up and showed priorities to tailor health services for managing bariatric surgery patients. This team should be led by a dedicated case manager and include physical activity specialists.