Abstracto

Psychosocial Differences of Bariatric Surgery Candidates.

van-der Hofstadt CJ, Leal C, Gonz

Background and objectives: Patients with Morbid Obesity (MO) asking for weight loss and candidates to Bariatric Surgery (BS) are commonly administered extensive psychiatric and psychological assessment prior to surgery. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if there are differences among BS candidates, according to psychosocial variables.

Methods: Data was obtained from a random sample of 463 BS candidates at a General University Hospital, using measures of socio-economic (age, gender, marital status, employment and highest education level), medical and psychological variables (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Eating Disorder Inventory-2).

Results: Data show that there were differences between morbidly and super morbidly obese groups only in the scale of Body Dissatisfaction obtained on the EDI-2. We also found differences between men and women in trait anxiety and in concerns about weight, satisfaction with their physical appearance, with feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness and without control over their lives, and satisfaction with anything less than something perfect.

Conclusions: We have found a differential psychosocial profile for women, and we think it can be taken into account to design and implement specific programs of BS preparation and follow-up.