Researchers studied 80 people who had weight loss surgery to see if a special nursing care plan combined with nutrition help could improve their recovery. Half the patients received standard care, while the other half got extra support focused on preserving muscle, maintaining nutrition, and managing stress. After three months, the group with extra support had better muscle preservation, higher vitamin levels, and less anxiety and depression. This suggests that combining personalized nursing care with nutrition guidance after weight loss surgery can lead to better physical and mental health outcomes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special combination of nursing care and nutrition support helps people recover better after weight loss surgery
  • Who participated: 80 obese adults (40 in each group) who had weight loss surgery between 2021-2023 at a hospital. Both groups were similar in age and health status at the start.
  • Key finding: Patients who received the special nursing care plus nutrition support lost weight similarly to the standard care group, but kept more muscle mass, had better vitamin levels, and experienced significantly less anxiety and depression (measured on standard mood scales)
  • What it means for you: If you’re considering or recovering from weight loss surgery, having a dedicated care team focused on nutrition and emotional support may help you maintain muscle strength and feel better emotionally during recovery. However, this was tested in one hospital, so results may vary in other settings.

The Research Details

This was a controlled experiment where researchers divided 80 patients into two equal groups. One group (the control group) received the standard nursing care that hospitals typically provide after weight loss surgery. The other group (the experimental group) received the same basic care plus something extra: continuous support from nurses trained in a special method called IMB mode, combined with personalized nutrition counseling. Both groups were measured before surgery, then again one month and three months after surgery to track changes in their body composition, blood work, vitamin levels, and emotional well-being.

The researchers measured many things including weight, muscle mass, fat mass, and various blood markers that show nutritional status and inflammation. They also used standard questionnaires to measure anxiety and depression levels. By comparing the two groups over time, they could see whether the extra nursing care and nutrition support made a real difference.

Weight loss surgery is a major procedure that causes significant changes to the body. While it helps people lose weight, it can also lead to muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional challenges like anxiety and depression. Understanding how to support patients through this process is important because keeping muscle mass and maintaining good nutrition helps people stay healthy long-term. Addressing emotional health is equally important because depression and anxiety can interfere with recovery and healthy behaviors.

This study was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered a strong research design. Both groups were similar at the start, which is good. The study tracked patients for three months and measured multiple health markers, not just one outcome. However, the study was conducted at a single hospital, so results might not apply everywhere. The sample size of 80 people is moderate—larger studies would provide more confidence in the findings. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

Both groups lost weight after surgery, which was expected. However, the group receiving the special nursing care and nutrition support had important advantages. They preserved significantly more muscle mass compared to the standard care group—this is crucial because muscle helps maintain metabolism and strength. Their vitamin and mineral levels (including vitamin B1, B2, B6, C, and iron) were notably higher than the standard care group, suggesting the nutrition intervention was working well.

The most striking finding was in emotional health. The group with special nursing care and nutrition support had significantly lower anxiety and depression scores three months after surgery. While both groups experienced some anxiety and depression after surgery (which is normal), the extra support made a meaningful difference in how patients felt emotionally.

Blood markers related to inflammation and blood sugar control (like C-reactive protein and hemoglobin A1c) improved in both groups, showing that weight loss surgery itself helps with these markers. However, the special care group maintained better overall nutritional status throughout recovery.

The study also measured body composition in detail, including visceral fat (dangerous fat around organs) and total cellular water content. Both groups showed improvements in these areas, but the special care group maintained better overall body composition. The researchers noted that patients in the special care group were more accepting and satisfied with the surgery process, suggesting that good support and communication improve the overall experience.

Previous research has shown that weight loss surgery can lead to muscle loss and nutritional deficiencies if not carefully managed. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that a structured approach combining nursing support and nutrition intervention can reduce these problems. The finding about emotional health is particularly valuable because many studies focus only on physical outcomes. This research suggests that comprehensive care addressing both body and mind produces better results than physical care alone.

This study was conducted at one hospital, so results may not apply everywhere or to all populations. The study lasted only three months, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer-term. The study didn’t describe exactly what the ‘IMB mode’ nursing approach involves in detail, making it harder for other hospitals to replicate. The sample size, while reasonable, is not huge—larger studies would provide more confidence. The study didn’t track whether patients maintained these improvements after the study ended. Additionally, we don’t know if the benefits came from the nursing care, the nutrition support, or the combination of both.

The Bottom Line

If you’re planning weight loss surgery, ask your healthcare team about comprehensive support programs that include both nutrition counseling and emotional health support (moderate confidence). Work with a registered dietitian before and after surgery to maintain adequate nutrition and muscle mass (high confidence). Monitor your mood and seek mental health support if you experience anxiety or depression after surgery (high confidence). These recommendations are based on this research but should be discussed with your personal healthcare provider.

This research is most relevant to people considering weight loss surgery, their families, and healthcare providers involved in bariatric surgery care. It’s particularly important for people concerned about muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, or emotional challenges after surgery. Healthcare administrators and hospital planners should consider these findings when designing post-surgery support programs. People who have already had weight loss surgery may benefit from seeking the type of comprehensive support described in this study.

Based on this study, meaningful improvements in muscle preservation and mood appeared within three months. However, you should expect the first month after surgery to be challenging as your body adjusts. Nutritional improvements may be noticeable within weeks if you follow nutrition guidance. Emotional improvements typically develop gradually over the first three months. Long-term benefits (beyond three months) are unknown from this study, so ongoing support is important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly muscle-related metrics: record your strength (how many push-ups or squats you can do), energy levels (1-10 scale), and mood scores (anxiety and depression on a simple 1-10 scale). Also log daily nutrition intake, specifically protein grams and key vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin C, iron) to ensure you’re meeting targets.
  • Set a daily reminder to log your meals and nutrition intake, focusing on protein-rich foods and vitamin-dense options. Use the app to schedule weekly check-ins with your nutrition team and mental health support. Create a simple mood tracker to monitor anxiety and depression daily, which helps identify patterns and triggers. Set strength-building exercise goals (like daily walks or light resistance work) and track completion.
  • Establish a baseline of your current mood, energy, and strength before or immediately after surgery. Check in weekly on these metrics for the first three months, then monthly thereafter. Share this data with your healthcare team during appointments. Look for trends: improving mood, stable or increasing strength, and consistent nutrition intake are positive signs. If mood worsens or strength declines, alert your healthcare provider promptly.

This research describes findings from a single hospital study and should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider. Weight loss surgery is a serious procedure with significant risks and benefits that vary by individual. Before having surgery or making changes based on this research, consult with your surgical team, primary care doctor, registered dietitian, and mental health professional. The findings suggest that comprehensive nursing care and nutrition support may improve recovery, but individual results vary. If you experience anxiety, depression, or nutritional concerns after surgery, seek immediate professional help rather than relying solely on this information.