Bariatric Surgery Improves Mental Health

Weight loss surgery is well known to produce shocking weight loss results that are directly related to a reduction in serious health risks such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Now researchers contend that weight loss surgery may also improve a patient’s psychological health as much as it improves a patient’s physical health.

The results of a study that were revealed at a recent medical convention evaluated 25 individuals who had the Lap-Band surgery performed to resolve obesity. The group was comprised primarily of women and consisted of only four men. More than half of the group suffered from diabetes.

The group was evaluated through psychological testing prior to their surgery, and then again at six and twelve months post-surgery. Some measurements in the evaluation included general anxiety, social anxiety related to physical appearance and the thoughts of others concerning their appearance, as well as quality of life and depression.

As expected, the group showed great improvements in physical health, including reduction in body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). The study also revealed that the psychological health of the patients also significantly improved. The improvements in social anxiety and depression were seen at both the six and twelve month intervals.

While it was only twenty five individuals who were studied, the results are worth considering. Other studies that are continually being added to the National Weight Control Registry are also showing that weight loss surgery may offer improvement in emotional and psychological health in a similar fashion to how it reduces risks of other co-morbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.