title: Health-related quality of life changes and weight reduction after bariatric surgery vs. a weight-loss program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study compared the outcome of bariatric surgery against a uniform high-level weightloss program which included vigorous physical exercises, behavior modification and nutritional advice.
  
  
  METHODS
  44 subjects who underwent bariatric surgery and 47 subjects participating in a weight-loss program completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form- 36 (SF-36), the Mental Health Inventory (MHI) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, prior to surgery/diet and one year afterwards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-surgery subjects had a greater mean weight loss (34.70% ± 11.94) than subjects in the weight-loss program, even though their weight reduction was also clinically significant (9.23% ± 8.31). Post-surgery subjects showed significant improvements in SF-36, MHI, and selfesteem. The diet group improved in SF-36 total score, physical functioning, health perceptions, and vitality scales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences in background variables and short follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery outcomes were significantly better in terms of both weight reduction and psychological adjustment compared to highly motivated participants in a prestigious, cutting edge weight-loss program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel, and Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Canetti
authors.affiliation: School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Yoel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Elizur
authors.affiliation: Weight-loss Program Derech Hakosher, Beerotaim, Israel.
authors.forename: Yair
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Karni
authors.affiliation: Departments of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Braun School of Public Health, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Elliot M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*