Bariatric surgery and bariatric psychology: evolution of the Dutch approach.
BACKGROUND
Success of bariatric surgery is largely dependent on patients' abilities to change their lifestyle and underlying psychosocial and behavioral factors; these factors should be carefully scrutinized. However, no consensus or guidelines exist for these evaluations.


METHODS
To get a better understanding of the practice of bariatric surgery and bariatric psychology in The Netherlands and its evolution, a survey of bariatric surgery programs was conducted.


RESULTS
Between 2000 and 2005, performance of bariatric surgery in The Netherlands has increased from 564 to more than 2,000 annually, mostly adjustable gastric banding. Most hospitals have a multidisciplinary selection process, and in 89% of the cases, a mental health specialist was involved.


CONCLUSIONS
Bariatric surgery in The Netherlands has increased tremendously; however, it is mostly limited to restrictive procedures, and there is no consensus regarding the psychological evaluation of patients.
van Hout
Gerbrand C M
GC
Department of Medical Psychology, Catharina Hospital, PO box 1350, 5602 ZA Eindhoven, The Netherlands. gerbrand.v.hout@cze.nl
Vreeswijk
Charlotte M J M
CM
van Heck
Guus L
GL
D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D009426:Netherlands; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017751:Safety Management