The Effect of Guided Imagery on Bariatric Surgery Patients

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body that may impair health. Furthermore, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher is classified as obesity, a BMI of 40 kg/m² or higher as morbid obesity, and a BMI of 50 kg/m² or higher as super obesity. Obesity is a disease with an increasing global prevalence that reduces both the quality and the length of life. Over the past 10-15 years, the rising prevalence of obesity has increased morbidity rates, adversely affected quality of life, and shortened life expectancy. This situation has turned obesity into a serious public health problem requiring urgent attention.To combat obesity, which negatively affects all body systems, methods such as medical nutrition therapy (diet), therapeutic exercise, behavioral modification therapies, and pharmacological treatments are used. In patients who do not achieve adequate results from medical and conservative approaches, surgical interventions are recommended. Influenced by social media and in pursuit of an easy and rapid solution for weight loss, obese patients often prefer surgical methods (bariatric surgery). The lack of guidance from healthcare teams regarding surgery and insufficient therapeutic communication with patients can lead to anxiety and depression during hospitalization. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches can prevent disease- and surgery-related symptoms, reduce anxiety, and contribute to improved sleep quality. These methods provide emotional, mental, social, and behavioral benefits to patients. Techniques such as hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, and imagery enhance the interaction between the body and mind, thereby promoting healing. These practices activate the body's self-healing potential by influencing the mind. Guided imagery allows patients to feel happy, comfortable, peaceful, and safe, and to develop positive thoughts. It can be applied with soft background music to facilitate relaxation and help patients distance themselves from negative thoughts. Guided imagery is a mind-body intervention that uses the patient's imagination and mental processes to create a mental representation of an object, place, event, or situation perceived through the senses. It is considered a relaxation technique focusing on the interaction between the brain, mind, body, and behavior. Patients are instructed to focus on pleasant images that replace negative or stressful emotions. Guided imagery can be self-directed, facilitated by a professional, or delivered through a recording.This study was planned considering the need for evidence on the use of guided imagery in preoperative and postoperative care in the context of nursing practice. Given the mind-body connection between preoperative anxiety and major elective surgical procedures, it is hypothesized that guided imagery may be effective in reducing pain, anxiety, fear, and improving sleep quality, cortisol levels, blood glucose, and vital signs in patients undergoing bariatric surgery before and after the operation.