Bariatric surgery may improve employment status in unemployed, underserved, severely obese patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on employment status in underserved, unemployed patients with severe obesity.

A retrospective review of all unemployed severely obese patients seen in our urban safety-net bariatric surgery program was performed. Preoperative patient questionnaires and medical records were reviewed to evaluate patient employment status at the time of initial evaluation by the multidisciplinary bariatric surgery team. Follow-up data was obtained on all available patients (including those who did not undergo surgery), including weight and employment status. A standardized telephone questionnaire was administered to supplement details regarding employment. Changes in employment status and body weight were determined in both groups.

Here, 193 unemployed severely obese patients were evaluated by the multidisciplinary obesity team. The vast majority of patients (>80%) were minorities (primarily Hispanic) and publicly insured. Seventy-two underwent bariatric surgery and 121 did not. Twenty-four percent of the surgical patients and 9% of the non-surgical patients had acquired full-time employment at least one year postoperatively (p = 0.043). There was a 10-point body mass index reduction in the surgical group, compared to 1-point reduction in the non-surgical group after one year.

Bariatric surgery may improve employment status in an unemployed severely obese patient cohort. Future research in this area should collect detailed prospective data on employment prior to surgery and assess changes longitudinally to provide a more complete picture of the impact of bariatric surgery on employment.