Controvérsias relacionadas à sexualidade de pacientes bariátricos a partir de redes sociais digitais

Abstract

This study examines controversies surrounding the sexuality of bariatric patients within the context of digital social networks, problematizing how interactions between human and non-human actors (networks, algorithms, and platforms) shape perceptions, norms, and bodily and sexual identities. It is a qualitative research grounded in Actor-Network Theory (ANT), with the overarching objective of describing the controversies regarding bariatric patients' sexuality as manifested in digital social networks. The methodology was guided by Controversy Mapping, based on the four stages of the cartographic researcher’s approach: Defining the network entry point, selected as a private bariatric surgery clinic with a large patient base. Identifying spokespersons, including patients themselves, influencers, and non-human devices such as algorithms and platforms. Listing inscription devices, such as social networks, interviews, and shared content. Mapping associations, delineating the relationships and agencies among the actors within the network. The discussion on sexuality, informed by Michel Foucault’s theories and Byung-Chul Han’s digital culture framework, guided the interpretation of the results. Two major controversies emerged: The discursive construction of sexuality through social labels that oscillate between "diseased bodies" and "desirable bodies," highlighting the effects of norms and stigmas on participants' identity and selfesteem. The body as a network translation, where information, inspiration, and interactions intertwine, reshaping individuals' perceptions of themselves and their sexuality. The findings indicate that social networks function both as spaces of validation and support and as mechanisms of pressure and normalization, amplifying aesthetic standards and reinforcing dynamics of eroticization and bodily visibility. The study concludes that post-bariatric bodily transformation is not limited to surgical intervention but results from a dynamic, relational process driven by sexuality as a network translation. This sexuality is shaped by sociocultural norms and digital interactions, underscoring the impact of power relations and contemporary demands for visibility and performativity.