Psychosocial effects of bariatric surgery.
BACKGROUND
Morbid obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as invalidating psychosocial problems and poor quality of life. The eventual goal of bariatric surgery is not only reduced weight, but also improved quality of life. What are these psychosocial consequenses of bariatric surgery?


METHODS
A systematic literature search identifying relevant psychosocial consequences of bariatric surgery.


RESULTS
Bariatric surgery does not only lead to substantial weight reduction, but also to improvement or cure of comorbidities, including diminishing of psychopathology and abnormal eating behavior, and improvement in quality of life. However, a significant minority of morbidly obese individuals do not respond positively to surgery and do not benefit psychologically from surgery, also mixed results on long-term quality of life are reported.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychosocial effects of bariatric surgery, being significant improvement in psychosocial functioning and quality of life, provide additional justification for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity.
van Hout
G
G
Department of Medical Psychology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. gerbrand.v.hout@cze.nl
D049088:Bariatrics; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*