Table 2.

Example of data coding analysis.

Theme	Categories	Initial codes
Insufficient Knowledge of Postoperative Rehabilitation for Lymphedema	Insufficient Self-Management Knowledge	Confusion of rehabilitation priorities at different stages (e.g., engaging in high-intensity upper limb exercises in the early postoperative period/ still excessively restricting activities in the late stage).
		Lack of emphasis (e.g., “I didn’t finish watching the video on manual drainage, and I didn’t take it seriously”).
		Cognitive biases (e.g., “The doctor said I can’t do heavy work, so I usually avoid physical activity”).
	Discrepancy between Self-Management Behavior and Knowledge	Conflicts with lifestyle (e.g., prolonged sitting due to work).
		Insufficient continuity in self-management (e.g., frequently interrupting the use of compression sleeves due to social activities).
	Neglect of Condition Monitoring and Follow-up	Failure to follow medical advice for follow-up (e.g., “I didn’t go for a follow-up and don’t want to, it’s useless”).
		Failure to follow medical advice for monitoring (e.g., “I can tell the leg is swollen just by looking, no need to measure the circumference”).
	Insufficient Experience in Managing Complications	Inadequate ability to identify and respond to complications (e.g., not seeking medical attention promptly when experiencing skin erythema or blisters, applying unknown medications instead).
		Pessimistic expectations for managing complications (e.g., “Infections will keep recurring, treatment is useless”).
Barriers in Obtaining Disease Management Information	Limited Access and Ability to Obtain Information	Inability to use digital platforms proficiently (e.g., not knowing how to use WeChat mini-programs).
		Lack of family support (family caregivers lack rehabilitation knowledge).
		Poor accessibility of medical resources (few authoritative postoperative self-management knowledge available on WeChat or short videos).
	Low Willingness to Obtain Information Due to Psychological Factors	Low self-efficacy leading to a fear of difficulty (e.g., believing one cannot learn compression treatment methods, thus avoiding information).
Inappropriate Self-Management	Insufficient Mastery of Rehabilitation Skills	Improper control of the tension and density of low-elasticity bandage wrapping.
		Arbitrary and inconsistent execution of manual drainage (abandoned after learning from short videos due to poor results).
		Monotonous and non-standardized functional exercises (e.g., only performing simple movements like “raising and lowering the arm”).
		Delayed or omitted skin care (forgetting to apply moisturizing lotion until skin dryness occurs).
		Non-standardized methods for measuring edema at home (using non-medical soft tape measures or inconsistent measurement sites).
	Insufficient Support for Management Resources	Lack of proper guidance and supervision (no rehabilitation therapist providing home visits).
		Incomplete follow-up mechanisms by medical staff (e.g., phone communication alone is insufficient to correct operational details).
	Poor Adherence	Insufficient duration of wearing compression devices
		Loss of control in dietary management.
		Resistance to using doctor-recommended lymphatic drainage techniques, air pressure therapy devices, etc.