Health and appearance: Factors motivating the decision to seek bariatric surgery

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have examined the motivating factors and people that lead patients to seek bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery helps to improve body image, but little is known about patients’ desired changes in the appearance of specific body parts. ObjectivesTo identify key factors and people motivating patients’ decision to seek bariatric surgery, and to assess body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of specific body parts. SettingU.S. university-based hospital clinic. MethodsPatients seeking bariatric surgery (N = 208, 78.4% women, 52.4% black, mean age = 42.0 ± 12.3 yr, mean body mass index = 46.7 ± 8.5 kg/m2) completed the Reasons for Bariatric Surgery questionnaire before their preoperative Psychosocial–behavioral evaluation. Participants rated (1–10) the importance of 15 potential reasons and 7 potential people motivating their decision to seek bariatric surgery. Participants also rated their dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of 11 body parts. ResultsMean scores of motivating factors were highest for Physical Health (9.9 ± .4), followed by Longevity (9.7 ± .9). Patients reported high body dissatisfaction and desire for surgery to change the appearance of several body parts, including stomach and thighs. “Myself” was the highest-rated motivating person, followed by healthcare providers, family, and someone who had undergone bariatric surgery. ConclusionsHealth is the primary reason reported by patients for seeking bariatric surgery. Patients also report a strong desire for surgery to change the appearance of their body. Patients are self-driven to pursue surgery but are also influenced by healthcare providers, family, and people who have undergone surgery. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2019;X:XXX–XXX.) © 2019 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.