BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION, QUALITY OF LIFE AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN BARIATRIC SURGERY PATIENTS: A STUDY ON MEDICAL TOURISTS

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity, a serious health problem that should be prevented because it causes many health problems, also negatively affects the quality of life and body image of individuals. This study was aimed at determining the relationship between and determinants of the perceived body image, patient satisfaction and quality of life of individuals who preferred Turkey to undergo bariatric surgery within the scope of medical tourism. Methodology: The population of the study consisted of 329 medical tourists who underwent bariatric surgery between 2015 and 2022 in private hospitals having health tourism authorization certificate in Samsun. Data were collected between September 01, 2021 and November 31, 2022 using the Personal Information Form, Body Image Scale, Quality Of Life Scale and Patient Satisfaction Scale. Descriptive statistics and the student t test, ANOVA test, correlation and multiple regression statistical analysis methods were used in the analysis of the data. Results: Of the participants, 37.4% were men and 62.6% were women. Their mean age was 39.74�10.063 years. According to the results obtained from the present study, patient satisfaction was affected by the variables such as age, education level, family type, monthly income, income status, exercise status, chronic disease status and perceived body image (p<0.05). On the other hand, the quality of life was affected by the variables such as perceived body image, marital status, education status, employment status, family type, income status, alcohol use, and exercise status (p<0.05). Patient satisfaction and quality of life were positively correlated with perceived body image of the participants who underwent bariatric surgery.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, patient satisfaction and quality of life were affected by socioeconomic characteristics and perceived body image of the participants, and perceived body image, patient satisfaction and quality of life were positively affected in the participants who underwent bariatric surgery.