Effects of Nurse-Led Education on Quality of Life and Weight Loss in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Background: Although bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for morbid obesity, patients' adherence to prescribed postoperative recommendations is important. Aims: To determine the effectiveness of nurse-led education with follow-up services on bariatric surgery patients' weight loss and overall quality of life. Materials and Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental research with a control group. The sample consisted of 102 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients in the intervention group received education sessions as well as follow-up services by phone every 15 days after surgery for a period of 3 months. Bariatric surgery patients' overall quality of life, weight loss, and waist circumferences were measured. Results: In the intervention group, the average scores of the Short-Form Health Survey total and subdimensions were higher 3 months after the surgery, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although the weight loss of patients 3 months after the surgery between the two groups was not significant, the decrease in the waist circumference of patients was significant between the two groups. Conclusions: Patient education and follow-ups resulted in significant improvements in patients' overall quality of life. However, the 3-month-long education and follow-up program did not have any effect on weight loss.