Presurgery Weight Loss Goals, Depressive Symptoms, and Weight Loss Among Women Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

To determine whether preoperative weight loss goals are associated with postoperative weight loss and whether the effect is modified by preoperative depressive symptoms. Sixty-three women from an ongoing cohort study who were undergoing first-time bariatric surgery at a large, academic hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, were included in this subanalysis. They were assessed preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively in regard to anthropometric and biobehavioral factors. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between weight loss goals, expressed as percentage excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL), and postoperative %EBMIL, as well as test effect modification by depressive symptoms. Presurgery weight loss goals were positively associated with %EBMIL 12 months after bariatric surgery (β = 1.0, p < 0.01), adjusting for preoperative body mass index, age, race, and marital status; this relationship was negatively modified by depressive symptoms (β = -0.1, p = 0.02). The association between goal %EBMIL and postoperative %EBMIL was attenuated when type of surgery was added to the model. This initial report suggests that weight loss goals and depressive symptoms may be associated with achieved weight loss after bariatric surgery. If confirmed in larger cohorts, these findings may indicate that more personalized approaches will be needed when discussing weight loss goals with patients.