{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T11:10:43Z","timestamp":1788952243944,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788912000000},"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. Nutr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Although metabolic bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity, qualitative evidence exploring patients\u2019 experiences across both pre- and post-operative periods remains limited. This study aimed to examine patients\u2019 decision-making experiences, nutritional behaviors, and perceptions of nursing care throughout this process.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This qualitative descriptive study included individuals who had undergone metabolic bariatric surgery at least 12 months previously at a private hospital in T\u00fcrkiye. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) followed by individual semi-structured interviews (ISIs) to obtain both shared and in-depth individual perspectives. All FGDs and ISIs were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The FGD and ISI data were initially analyzed separately using inductive qualitative content analysis and subsequently compared and integrated during the later stages of analysis. Codes were grouped into categories, subthemes, and overarching themes through an iterative coding process. The coding process was independently reviewed by a second qualitative researcher, and discrepancies were resolved through consensus.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Five main themes emerged: decision-making for surgery, preoperative dietary habits, post-operative nutritional strategies, postoperative challenges, and information sharing. Participants reported that physical, psychological, and social factors influenced their decision to undergo surgery. Preoperatively, high-calorie and irregular eating patterns were common, whereas post-operative adaptation involved portion control, slow eating, and meal planning. Early postoperative challenges included physical symptoms, difficulties with dietary adherence, and limited social support. Structured education and regular nursing counseling were found to enhance patients\u2019 confidence and facilitate adaptation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Metabolic bariatric surgery represents a comprehensive care process requiring physical, behavioral, psychological, and social adaptation throughout the surgical journey. The findings highlight the importance of structured nursing support, including individualized education, psychosocial guidance, and long-term follow-up, to facilitate patients\u2019 adaptation after surgery.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1866634","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T10:17:14Z","timestamp":1788949034000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Nutritional behaviors and adaptation before and after metabolic bariatric surgery: a qualitative study based on patient experiences"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Durdane Y\u0131lmaz","family":"G\u00fcven","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karabuk University","place":["Karabuk, T\u00fcrkiye"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Erkan","family":"Aksoy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Operating Room Services Program, American University of Cyprus","place":["Nicosia, Cyprus"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S167","DOI":"10.2337\/dc25-S008","article-title":"Obesity and weight management for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes: standards of care in diabetes-2025.","volume":"48","year":"2025","journal-title":"Diabetes Care."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e071027","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj-2022-071027","article-title":"Long-term outcomes of metabolic\/bariatric surgery in adults.","volume":"383","author":"Courcoulas","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMJ."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"547","DOI":"10.1111\/obr.12518","article-title":"Patient experiences of outcomes of bariatric surgery: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis.","volume":"18","author":"Coulman","year":"2017","journal-title":"Obes Rev."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70035","DOI":"10.1111\/cob.70035","article-title":"Nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery: a rapid systematic review.","volume":"15","author":"Haughton","year":"2025","journal-title":"Clin Obes."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"727","DOI":"10.1016\/j.soard.2016.12.018","article-title":"ASMBS integrated health nutritional guidelines for the surgical weight loss patient-2016 update.","volume":"13","author":"Parrott","year":"2017","journal-title":"Surg Obes Relat Dis."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"512","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954422422000221","article-title":"Development and complications of nutritional deficiencies after bariatric surgery.","volume":"36","author":"Steenackers","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nutr Res Rev."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-nutr-061121-101547","article-title":"Nutritional challenges and treatment after bariatric surgery.","volume":"44","author":"Moiz\u00e9","year":"2024","journal-title":"Annu Rev Nutr."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4352","DOI":"10.1007\/s11695-025-08230-8","article-title":"A qualitative study of eating behaviours after bariatric surgery in women.","volume":"35","author":"G\u00fcney","year":"2025","journal-title":"Obes Surg."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"639","DOI":"10.1038\/oby.2005.71","article-title":"Psychosocial and behavioral aspects of bariatric surgery.","volume":"13","author":"Sarwer","year":"2005","journal-title":"Obesity Res."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"292","DOI":"10.1111\/obr.12013","article-title":"Post-operative behavioural management in bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","volume":"14","author":"Rudolph","year":"2013","journal-title":"Obes Rev."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1139","DOI":"10.1177\/000313481007601027","article-title":"Behavioral factors associated with successful weight loss after gastric bypass.","volume":"76","author":"Livhits","year":"2010","journal-title":"Am. 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