Psychological profile of candidates for vertical banded gastroplasty.
BACKGROUND
Because bariatric surgery is a forced behavior modification and the operation represents only one element in it, behavioral and psychological factors play an important role in its results. Consequently, better understanding of candidates for bariatric surgery may improve selection for and success with this intervention.


METHODS
In this study, the psychological profile of candidates for vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) was investigated. In the context of preoperative psychological evaluation, 153 patients were interviewed by a psychologist and completed a battery of psychological tests.


RESULTS
Compared to varying samples of the general population, candidates for VBG, especially females, experienced more psychological difficulties, more disturbed eating patterns, poor body attitude, and poor quality of life (QoL). In addition, 3 subgroups could be identified, ranging from relatively good to relatively poor psychological functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperatively, candidates for VBG struggle with a diversity of problems; however, some patients are less negatively affected by their obesity than others.
Van Hout
Gerbrand C M
GC
Department of Medical Psychology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, and Tilburg University, the Netherlands. gerbrand.v.hout@cze.nl
Van Oudheusden
Irina
I
Krasuska
Adriana T
AT
van Heck
Guus L
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015391:Gastroplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011581:Psychological Tests