Abstract
Background: Obese patients, most notably those suffering from morbid obesity (class III or BMI > 40), often suffer from a variety physical and psychiatric co-morbidity. Given the severity of the consequences of obesity, bariatric surgery is now considered a viable intervention strategy. Though it has been shown to be effective, the long-term success of bariatric surgery is highly dependent on patient compliance and adherence. The current study sought to address the role of psychosocial functioning on bariatric surgical candidacy and outcomes.
Methods: A total of 109 morbidly obese individuals seeking bariatric surgery completed a series of questionnaires, pre and post (post 1 year) that sought to assess; Demographic Information, Health Profile, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Body Image, Eating Disorder, Social Support, and Expectations.
Results: Results from this study indicated that 83 (76.1%) patients scored above cutoff for stress, while 93 (85.3%) had significantly elevated anxiety. In addition, 44 (40.3%) patients had history of depression, 26 (23.8%) a history of eating disorder, and 88 (80.7%) outlined unrealistic expectations. Overall, a total of 61 (56%) of patients underwent bariatric surgery, with 43 (70.5%) showing post-operative improvements in psychosocial functioning (depression, stress, self-esteem). Post-operative success (weight loss) was also correlated with improved psychosocial status.
Conclusion: Given the severity of the physical and psychiatric co-morbidity associated with obesity, bariatric services should consider adopting a thorough psychosocial screening and treatment program of bariatric candidates in order to reduce potential risks and optimize results.
