Surgery for obesity and marriage quality

Before surgery for obesity, most of 54 morbidly obese patients considered their marriage to be good, although marked problems were higher than for a comparison group. One year later, a majority still rated their marriage as good; many reported better relations with their spouses. Sexual function was enhanced. Three years postoperatively (n=30), the incidence of marital harmony had risen to the same level as for the comparison group and sexual functioning continued to be improved. The divorce rate during the three years, however, was somewhat higher, particularly in those marriages originally found to be troubled before surgery. The implications of these findings for the decision to undertake surgery for obesity are discussed.