Psychosocial functioning improves following bariatric surgery.

“Morbid obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as psychosocial problems and poor quality of life. The ultimate goal of bariatric surgery is not only reduced weight and reduction of comorbidities, but also improved psychosocial functioning and quality of life,” scientists in the Netherlands report in their review.

“However, not all patients are successful. A systematic literature search of recent articles identified relevant variables reflecting postoperative psychosocial functioning. Most studies showed that bariatric surgery does not only lead to substantial weight reduction, but also to improvement or cure of physical as well as psychological comorbidities. Although most studies are optimistic and report broad psychosocial improvement, a significant minority of patients do not benefit psychologically from surgery,” summarized G.C.M. van Hout and associates, Catharina Hospital.

The authors finished, “Although there are mixed results, the overall improvements in psychosocial functioning provide additional justification for surgical treatment of morbid obesity.”

van Hout and colleagues published their review in Obesity Surgery (Psychosocial functioning following bariatric surgery. Obes Surg, 2006;16(6):787-794).

For more information, contact G.C.M. van Hout, Catharina Hospital, Dept. of Psychology Medical, POB 1350, NL-5602 ZA Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Publisher contact information for the journal Obesity Surgery is: F DCommunications Inc., 3100 Bayview Avenue, Unit 4, Toronto, Ontario M2N 5L3, Canada.