Abstract

PALUDO, Isadora Cristina Putti; MORE, Carmen Leontina Ojeda Ocampo  and  KRENKEL, Scheila. Women in the preoperative period for bariatric surgery: meanings, body and self-image. Rev. SBPH [online]. 2025, vol.28, e020.  Epub Aug 25, 2025. ISSN 1516-0858.  https://doi.org/10.57167/rev-sbph.2025.v28.544.

Obesity is a complex phenomenon and it’s prevalence grows worldwide, becoming a public health problem. As a form of treatment for the most severe levels, bariatric surgery is shown as a possibility for reducing the weight of patients. The present study aimed to understand the meanings attributed to the female body and the self-image of women who were in preoperative follow-up for bariatric surgery in a teaching hospital in the South Region of Brazil. This is a qualitative research, characterized by multiple case studies, was conducted in which three women were interviewed. The data were analyzed using Bardin’s content analysis. The results showed that the development of obesity occurred connected with interactions and family affections. The meanings attributed to obesity understood that it causes restrictions and limitations to life and relationships. The participants reported experiences of prejudice and disapproval due to their body condition, presenting ambivalences about self-image and the desire to change the body. Bariatric surgery was attributed to the improvement of health and the relationship with the body, also including the support of professionals and family. Through the complexity of factors related to obesity, this study shows the need to build care practices that favor treatment, clinical monitoring and interventions in a multidisciplinary team.

Keywords : Obesity; Bariatric surgery; Body image; Women..

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