Gastric banding is an established and effective form of weightloss surgery. Semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of gastric banding of twenty purposively recruited patients one year after surgery. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three themes emerged. They included 'Exercising choice' (restriction by the band was counterbalanced by new food-related choices.); 'Rediscovering life' (improved health, physical ability and energy enabled the patients to re-discover life.) and 'Goals achieved with no regrets' (patients had nearly achieved their self-set goals.)
Conclusion: Beyond achieving weight loss and improved health, the participants had improved quality of life as defined by patients. Knowledge about this active process informs the care of these patients.
Keywords: gastric banding; patient experience; weightloss surgery.