{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,20]],"date-time":"2025-09-20T06:30:43Z","timestamp":1758349843338,"version":"3.44.0"},"reference-count":58,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,19]],"date-time":"2025-09-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758240000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Med."],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>The discharge readiness for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients are designed to facilitate their transition from hospital to home and support early rehabilitation, ultimately improving discharge quality and outcomes.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title><jats:p>This study aimed to describe the experiences and discharge readiness of patients undergoing MBS.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Setting<\/jats:title><jats:p>A Tertiary hospital, China.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>An empirical phenomenological approach was used. Eighteen participants were recruited in Wuhan using convenience sampling. Semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted in May 2024. Each interview was transcribed verbatim, and Colaizzi\u2019s method was used to analyze the data.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Five themes emerged from data analysis: post-surgical adaptation and expectations; negative emotions and stigma; knowledge gaps and ongoing education needs; post-discharge self-management and support needs; navigating physical recovery and long-term life planning. Patients faced both physiological and psychological discomfort. Insufficient social support was due to gaps in self-management knowledge and biased perceptions of reintegration. The surgery also impacted their reintegration into society and family life, while the long-term effect encouraged patients to adopt positive coping strategies and seek external support. Family provided primary support, but ongoing professional medical guidance was crucial for successful recovery and reintegration.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>The discharge readiness of the patient needs to be appreciated and improved. Developing a specific scale to assess readiness for MBS patients are crucial. A multidisciplinary, patient-centered discharge support system, supported by an information platform, should provide real-time, practical guidance for rehabilitation. Furthermore, establishing an effective post-discharge linkage mechanism will enhance self-management and ensure access to appropriate medical and social support.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2025.1595361","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,19]],"date-time":"2025-09-19T05:27:16Z","timestamp":1758259636000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The experience and discharge readiness of patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery: a qualitative 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