Obese Patients Improve Physically, Mentally After Bariatric Surgery, Says New Study

A Spanish researcher's study reveals that apart from the physical benefits obtained from bariatric surgery, a lot of psychological benefits could as well be derived from the procedure as it could improve the quality of life drastically. It is a surgery done to reduce an individual’s gastric capacity. It helps in weight loss as it immensely reduces the quantity a person would normally eat since the gastric size is reduced.

The surgery reduces the size of the stomach and brings changes to its shape as well, the press release states. It typically has negative consequences as well as known to cause diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. Overall, however, it has been observed to cause several positive effects.

Most obese people face a lot of fat shaming and have to deal with criticisms on a daily basis, the press release states. Post-operation, they begin to lose weight and surgeons have only taken this visible aspect into account as a consequence of bariatric surgery. However, this new study found that the patients also experience a better quality of life and positive psychological changes.

Alejandro Magallares, researcher at the National University of Distance Education (UNED) and co-author of the study, analysed previous studies that analysed the co-relation between quality of life and weight loss. The 21 scientific studies provided data about 2,680 obese subjects and 2,251 subjects who were obese and underwent the surgery for weight loss. It was seen throughout all these studies that the quality of life increased. Magallares explains that the quality of life is determined by both the psychological and physical aspects that change post surgery.

The Spanish scientist stresses that the improvement in the quality of life mainly stems from the change in the physical appearance of the person. The person’s health improves drastically as well.

For the surgery to work best, a change in lifestyle and healthy eating is a must, the Spanish Society of Surgery for Morbid Obesity and Metabolic Disorders informs. Without these efforts, there can be no guaranteed long term results and it has several risks as well. The aim of the surgery is to “reduce the intake of food and the capacity of absorption.”

The surgery is not for everybody and is intended only for those who have seen no benefits with diet and exercise. The Spanish Society of Surgery for Morbid Obesity and Metabolic Disorders states that the BMI should be over 40kg/m², and is not recommended for those with less than 35 kg/m² BMI.

The study is published in the journal 'Psychology, Health & Medicine'.

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