title: A review of psychosocial outcomes of surgery for morbid obesity.
abstract: There is consistent evidence to support the notion that morbid obesity poses serious risks to physical health and has a substantial impact on psychosocial well-being. Researchers agree that bariatric surgery is currently the most viable option for successful weight loss and maintenance in the morbidly obese individual. The drastic, major weight loss and alleviation of medical risks that patients typically experience post-surgically are accompanied by psychosocial changes that appear to be equally remarkable. These psychosocial changes have yet to be studied as systematically or diligently as the physical changes and therefore remain to be fully understood. This paper (1) reviews the literature of psychosocial outcomes of obesity surgery for the past 36 years; (2) provides a critical assessment of the methodology utilized; and (3) suggests future research directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 455030, Las Vegas, NV 89154-5030, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsey E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bocchieri
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meana
authors.forename: Barry L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D016896:Treatment Outcome