Psychological factors related to gastric banding - Results of a follow-up study

Obesity is a widespread illness in Western industrialized countries, causing a high financial burden for the health systems. Several studies could demonstrate the positive effects of bariatric surgery on psychological and psychosocial parameters. Twenty patients with morbid obesity (BMI a parts per thousand yen40 kg/m(2)) answered two questionnaires, the SCL-90-R, assessing psychological distress, and the IIP-D, measuring interpersonal problems, before and 6 months after gastric banding. Six months after surgery an additional questionnaire measuring subjective feelings was administered, too. Seventy-five percent of the patients were dissatisfied with therapy and outcome. They reported a lack of psychological support as well as new surgery-related physical and psychological symptoms. This study pointed out the necessity for psychotherapeutic help after surgery to manage already existing or new psychological needs due to gastric banding.