A Review of Literature on the experiences of people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus after Bariatric Surgery in Kuwait

Bariatric surgery (BS) has become a popular intervention for weight loss amongst the obese and morbidly obese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Kuwait. Studies conducted in Kuwait have found that BS has positive effects on blood glucose levels of people with T2DM. An integrative review was conducted in five major research databases, where the final 14 articles were analysed thematically. In the western world, patients are provided with professional support to overcome both physiological and psychological concerns. Conversely, Kuwaiti individuals might avoid or neglect psychological supports due to insufficient service support and cultural stigmatisation. Although quantitative research may provide critical information about the result of BS physically, they neglect the psychological aspects behind undergoing the surgery, and how the lives of patients who have had BS are affected by this intervention. As a trending intervention for the management of T2DM, exploring the psychological effects after BS may provide a better understanding of the daily lives of individuals with T2DM and enable improvements in health care education for the bariatric population. This review provides evidence that there is a need for more qualitative research in Kuwait to address barriers that bariatric patients’ might have faced and the importance of providing health care support to maintain long-term physical and psychological well-being.