Objective:To explore the decision-making experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty in our country.Methods:A semi-structured interview was conducted with patients suffering from postpartum abdominal wall laxity who were treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to August 2023. The data were sort and analyzed using the Clolaizzi 7-step analysis method for thematic description.Results:A total of 15 patients, aged 29-53 years, were included in the study. 11 had a college education or higher, while 4 had less than a college education.Thirteen were married and two were divorced. According to the interview data, four themes were extracted: (1) negative perceptual experiences; (2) decision-making dilemmas; (3) peer support; (4) a physician-led decision-making model. According to the interview, the main decision-making dilemma faced by patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity was lack of information and family support, and the support they get was mostly from information exchange among patients, and they had insufficient cognition of surgical knowledge, improvement degree and risk, and low participation in clinical decision making.Conclusion:Patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity in China have an urgent psychological need for abdominoplasty, but there are many factors that have adverse effects on their decision-making experience.

Objective:To explore the decision-making experience of patients undergoing abdominoplasty in our country.Methods:A semi-structured interview was conducted with patients suffering from postpartum abdominal wall laxity who were treated at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June to August 2023. The data were sort and analyzed using the Clolaizzi 7-step analysis method for thematic description.Results:A total of 15 patients, aged 29-53 years, were included in the study. 11 had a college education or higher, while 4 had less than a college education.Thirteen were married and two were divorced. According to the interview data, four themes were extracted: (1) negative perceptual experiences; (2) decision-making dilemmas; (3) peer support; (4) a physician-led decision-making model. According to the interview, the main decision-making dilemma faced by patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity was lack of information and family support, and the support they get was mostly from information exchange among patients, and they had insufficient cognition of surgical knowledge, improvement degree and risk, and low participation in clinical decision making.Conclusion:Patients with postpartum abdominal wall laxity in China have an urgent psychological need for abdominoplasty, but there are many factors that have adverse effects on their decision-making experience.