Health-Related Quality of Life: Physical and Mental Functioning after Bariatric Surgery

Purpose: Knowing the patient and his or her self-perceived level of health is important in planning individualized and holistically focused nursing care to meet the needs of the individual. The focus of this research was on individuals' perceptions of their physical and mental health following a surgical weight loss intervention (SWLI). Main findings: The results of this study provide evidence that individuals who undergo an SWLI report their overall health-related quality of life as consistent with the good to very good descriptor. Similarly they rate the components of health-related quality of life, that is, physical functioning and mental functioning, in the same range. Conclusions: These findings may have significance for the type and amount of support, as well as the interventions required by this population of individuals. While many of the functions of the support group are focused on weight loss and maintenance, these data may indicate a need for a more holistic focus inclusive of psychosocial development strategies. Further research is needed to examine the type of support group and the process of the support group in nurturing the psychological components of the whole person.