Main theme

Struggle for a meaningful life during transition related to obesity treatment

Sub-themes

Challenges related to self-existence

Challenges related to treatment-support

Challenges related to inner and outer control

Categories (examples)

Blaming oneself as a result of shame and self-contempt

Detecting how the food has been an emotional regulator

Seeking adjustment and recovery towards a new life

Being ambivalent to treatment choice in the decision-making process

Trusting clinicians’ competence before and after treatment

Changing their opinion about how satisfied they were with treatment

Feeling rapid transformations as bodily sensation changes