Psychological well-being and marital satisfaction in response to weight loss after bariatric surgery

To compare the marital satisfaction (MS) and psychological well-being (PWB) of men and women before and after bariatric surgery for obesity.

The subjects of this prospective observational study were obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery. MS and PWB were assessed before, and 6 months after the surgery, using specific scales for MS and PWB.

The correlation matrix showed that age was not correlated with any of the scores from the PWB scales, and only with the total MS scores of men (P < 0.05). The pre-surgical BMI-post-surgical BMI (ΔBMI) was correlated negatively and significantly with the post-surgical total MS, especially for women, but it was not correlated with the sexual satisfaction of either gender. The score of positive interpersonal relationships was negatively correlated with the ΔBMI, especially for women (P < 0.05), whereas personal improvement was positively correlated for men (P < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between ΔBMI and purpose in life for both genders. Post-surgical ΔBMIs were not associated with the other two indicators of PWB, namely, autonomy and environmental mastery for both genders.

For women, weight loss after bariatric surgery seemed to improve PWB and MS when assessed 6 months post-operatively; however, the psychiatric assessment of patients before and after the surgery is crucial.