Two-year trends in psychological outcomes after gastric bypass in adolescents with severe obesity

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate changes in mental health over 2 years in adolescents undergoing gastric bypass. MethodsEighty-eight adolescents (65% girls) aged 13 to 18 years were assessed at baseline and 1 and 2 years after surgery. Generic and obesity-specific questionnaires were used to evaluate outcomes in mental health, also in relation to age- and gender-specific norms. ResultsSymptoms of anxiety (P=0.001), depression (P=0.001), anger (P=0.001), and disruptive behavior (P=0.022) were significantly reduced at 2 years after surgery, as were obesity-related problems (P<0.001). Self-esteem (P<0.001), self-concept (P<0.001), and overall mood (P=0.025) improved significantly. Improvements were mainly observed during the first year after surgery. The second year was characterized by stabilization. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept were at normative levels after surgery. However, 19% of the adolescents had depressive symptoms in the clinical range. ConclusionsA substantial improvement in mental health in adolescents over the first 2 years after gastric bypass was found. Most adolescents had a level of mental health and self-concept similar to norms, but a marked subgroup showed substantial depressive symptoms 2 years after surgery.