A Psychological Profile of the Bariatric Patient with Implications for Treatment

BACKGROUND: Psychological testing of the bariatric patient utilizing instruments such as the MMPI have not proven useful in predicting successful weight loss following bariatric surgery. This has led many physicians and professionals who treat bariatric patients to believe that psychological testing is of no value. This paper discusses three instruments and the psychological profile of the average bariatric patient that they provide, and how the profile may be of benefit to the bariatric patient and to professionals who treat them. METHODS: The profile to be presented was obtained from the statistical analysis of the tests of 70 patients selected by random sample from a population of 695 patients. RESULTS: Results suggest that the average bariatric patient is mentally healthy and free of any psychological disorders contraindicating surgery. Although mentally healthy, the results suggest that the average bariatric patient does have a number of attitudes, behaviors, and personality traits which may sabotage weight lost following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological profile obtained from the data provides valuable information toward the development of a comprehensive treatment program designed to improve these potentially sabotaging attitudes, behaviors, and personality traits, in order to facilitate successful weight loss following bariatric surgery.