This was a qualitative and descriptive study that aimed to determine how patients understand instructions provided by a multidisciplinary team during perioperative periods of bariatric surgery. Data were collected through three individual interviews. Six patients admitted to a surgical unit of a university hospital in southern Brazil, in April and May 2012, participated in the study. Thematic analysis revealed three categories: communication in the perioperative period of bariatric surgery; quality of life and post- surgical care following bariatric surgery; and communication in the work process of the multidisciplinary team. The results showed satisfaction with the information received, but problems in the communication process and apprehension about life after surgery were highlighted. Furthermore, the absence of outpatient nursing care was demonstrated.
Morbid obesity; bariatric surgery; health communication; perioperative nursing