Psychological outcome two years after restrictive bariatric surgery

Area of Science:

• Bariatric surgery outcomes
• Mental health assessment
• Quality of life research

Background:

• Obesity surgery aims for medical and psychological health improvement, impacting quality of life.
• This study focuses on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and health-related quality of life post-bariatric surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and health-related quality of life.
• To assess these changes two years after bariatric surgery.

Main Methods:

• 149 patients (32% male, 68% female, mean age 38.8 years) underwent gastric restrictive surgery.
• Standardized questionnaires assessed patients before and 1 and 2 years after surgery.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured pre-surgery and at 1 and 2 years post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Mean BMI decreased from 51.3 kg/m² pre-surgery to 37.9 kg/m² at 2 years post-surgery.
• Significant reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in self-esteem and physical quality of life were observed.
• Pre-surgery, 40.5% of patients had clinically relevant depressive symptoms; this decreased to 16.4% by 2 years post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in mental health, including reduced depressive symptoms and enhanced self-esteem.
• These psychological benefits are evident one year after surgery and show no substantial change by the second year.
• Weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery is associated with significant improvements in psychological well-being.