Objectives: to understand the meanings attributed to the changes experienced after bariatric surgery by people with obesity.
Methods: this is a study with a qualitative approach, with a theoretical framework in Symbolic Interactionism; and methodological, in the Grounded Theory. There were 12 participants who underwent bariatric surgery in two health services (bariatric surgery clinic; general hospital). Data collection took place between July and October 2020, through an intensive interview. Testimonies were recorded using an electronic device and transcribed in full. Data were coded in the MAXQDA 2020 software and analyzed considering the adopted theoretical framework.
Results: two categories emerged: Rebuilding a social life; and Rediscovering self-esteem. From the articulation of these categories, the phenomenon "Re-signifying life after bariatric surgery" was constructed.
Final considerations: bariatric surgery contributed to significant changes in the daily lives of participants, and Symbolic Interactionism allowed the understanding of how participants interpreted their meanings.