Women’s lived experiences of sex hormones and life-related to bariatric surgery: an interpretative qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women with severe obesity before and after undergoing bariatric surgery with a special focus on possible effects of changed sex hormone levels. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study with transcribed text analysis based on Gadamer’s hermeneutics. SETTING: Regional hospital and outpatient bariatric clinic in central Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Ten women (age 23–38 years) having undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery between 2016 and 2019 were interviewed. RESULTS: The transcribed interviews were analysed according to Gadamer’s hermeneutics. Text horizons, interpreter horizons and fact horizons were derived and formed the fusions ‘Recognition of unhealthy body weight’, ‘Dealing with other people’s opinions and society’s norms’, ‘Life has changed in a positive way’ and ‘Accepting inner self and bodily changes’. CONCLUSION: Women highlighted weight and body size in their responses. The study provided a deeper understanding of the situation of women living with obesity and pros and cons of having undergone bariatric surgery. Experiences of changes in sex hormones and fertility were discussed but not central to the informants. Participants emphasised the need to be prepared and properly supported in dealing with changes in life after bariatric surgery and subsequent weight loss.