The psychology of gastric bypass surgery.
BACKGROUND
This article discusses the importance of psychological evaluation of gastric bypass (GBP) surgery candidates and post-surgical psychological support services, using the Center for Weight Reduction Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center as a model. The study of psychological predictors of post-operative outcome is in its beginning stages, and the small body of literature on this topic is reviewed.


METHODS
115 GBP surgery candidates completed a clinical interview and a self-report measure, the MMPI-2.


CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of psychopathology and personality disturbance was found in this population. The impact that psychological disturbance may have on post-operative outcome is discussed. The authors also provide a qualitative analysis of the psychological themes commonly found among this population, as well as psychosocial interventions that have been found helpful.
Glinski
J
J
Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. jglinski@email.msn.com
Wetzler
S
S
Goodman
E
E
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology