Psychological assessment of candidates for bariatric surgery

Abstract

AbstractObjectives: National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines indicate that pre-surgical assessment of patients wishing to undergo bariatric surgery should include consideration of psychological factors. This paper describes the psychological characteristics of a cohort of 59 patients.Method: Patients were interviewed and completed the following psychometric assessments: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Dieting Belief Scale, the Binge Eating Scale, the Emotional Eating Scale, the Generalised Self Efficacy Scale, and the Social Support Questionnaire.Results: High levels of psychological distress and binge eating were reported. Men more commonly reported a history of alcohol misuse. There was evidence to suggest that psychological distress predated obesity in the majority of cases.Conclusion: Compulsive eating leading to obesity appears to be both a consequence and a cause of psychological distress. Replacing compulsive eating represents a major post-surgical challenge in the majority of cases. Psychological assessment and follow-up should be offered to each patient.