Factors Impacting One-year Follow-up Visit Adherence after Bariatric Surgery in West China: A Mixed Methods Study

Quality follow-up (FU) is crucial after bariatric surgery. However, poor adherence after surgery is prevalent. This research aimed to explore the factors related to FU adherence after bariatric surgery in West China. This study used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design. Participants (n = 177) were identified from the West China Hospital. Demographic information, disease profile, treatment information, and post-surgery FU information were obtained from the bariatric surgery database of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery of the West China Hospital. The survey data were analyzed using logistic regression. Semi-structured interviews with participants (n = 10) who had low adherence were conducted. The recording was transcribed verbatim and entered into qualitative data analysis software. Qualitative data were analyzed using a content analysis approach. Multiple logistic regression revealed that living in Chengdu (OR, 2.308), being employed (OR, 2.532), non-smoking (OR, 2.805), and having less than five years of obesity (OR, 2.480) were positive predictors of FU adherence within one year. Semi-structured interviews suggested that factors related to adherence to FU were lack of motivation, lack of opportunity, insufficient ability, and beliefs regarding consequences. Factors impacting one-year FU visit adherence after bariatric surgery include not only demographic and disease-related factors but also social and family factors. These results will provide evidence to support healthcare professionals in developing personalized postoperative FU management strategies.