title: Intimate saboteurs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The bariatric patient exists in dynamic relationship with family members and friends who have considerable influence upon the patient and his or her surgical outcome. When family members and friends behave as intimate saboteurs, they attempt to hamper, hurt, or subvert the bariatric patient's goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. Successful or not, intimate saboteurs provide significant treatment challenges for the patient and the treatment team.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient profiles provide examples of intimate sabotage. The psychological construct of Family Systems Theory is used as a plausible explanation for the sabotage of friends and family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multidisciplinary professionals treating the bariatric patient must be aware of the critical influence of intimate saboteurs and the tactics they use to sabotage. Treatment guidelines recommended by Family Systems Theory are presented as strategies to mitigate the influence of intimate saboteurs.
authors.affiliation: Saint Luke Medical Center, Pasadena, California, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D015431:Weight Loss