Eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery: a prospective study

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Eating Disorders
• Psychopathology

Background:

• Eating pathology is prevalent in patients seeking bariatric surgery.
• Understanding pre-surgical eating behaviors is crucial for predicting post-surgical outcomes.
• The relationship between pre-surgical eating pathology and psychopathology requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery.
• To assess the association between pre-surgical eating pathology and psychopathology.
• To evaluate the link between pre-surgical eating pathology and surgical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 116 patients were assessed pre-surgery and at an average 5.5-year follow-up.
• Prevalence of binge eating, binge eating disorder, and night eating syndrome were recorded.
• Associations with psychopathology and surgical outcomes (weight, vomiting) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 52% of patients reported pre-operative binge eating; 16% met binge eating disorder criteria; 10% had night eating syndrome.
• All forms of pre-surgical eating pathology were significantly associated with cognitive distortions.
• Post-operatively, 33% of patients vomited weekly, but pre-surgical pathology did not correlate with weight outcome or vomiting.

Conclusions:

• Post-operative vomiting may indicate failed binge attempts rather than purging.
• Pre-surgical eating pathology is common and linked to cognitive distortions but not long-term outcomes.
• Further research is needed to understand the nuances of eating behaviors and outcomes after bariatric surgery.