Obesity and social representations among patients subjected to argon plasma coagulation (APC)

Abstract

This study sought to identify the Social Representations of Obesity among 15 individuals who underwent bariatric surgery through the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) method and were subjected to Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) due to weight relapse. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed via Descending Hierarchical Classification. Obesity was associated with physical limitations and difficulties in social relationships. Prejudice and difficulty in changing habits are associated with the choice to undergo surgical treatment and to weight relapse. The suffering that goes along with obesity and the difficulty in changing habits seem to be associated with the search for surgical help.