Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Purpose This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy, with a focus on lifestyle changes and food preparation. Methods A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to capture subjective experiences of patients with gastric cancer following gastrectomy. Using purposive sampling, 20 participants who had undergone gastrectomy were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Semi-structured and face-to-face interviews were conducted between March 2017 and March 2018. Data was analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) seven-step method to extract significant contents and emerge four core themes. Results Four themes were identified: (1) reshaping eating behaviors, (2) adapting health behaviors, (3) developing self-directed dietary knowledge, and (4) reappraising traditional dietary practices. Participants altered their eating habits, developed self-directed strategies, and reinterpreted traditional beliefs to accommodate physical and psychosocial changes. In the Chinese cultural values and social contexts, the findings showed that patients would adapt not only biopsychosocial changes but also food preparation. Conclusion Patients with gastric cancer represented a dynamic process involving physical recovery, psychosocial adjustment and cultural reinterpretation. Understanding patients’ experiences may help oncology nurses develop culturally sensitive and patient-centered interventions to enhance their quality of life after gastrectomy.</p>