Psychiatric aspects of bariatric surgery.

Abstract

While most conventional treatments for individuals with severe obesity have a modest and short lived impact bariatric surgery has been consistently shown to result in long-term marked weight loss and significant improvement in medical comorbidities. Empirical data suggest a high prevalence of mental disorders among bariatric surgery candidates. This article reviews specific areas of psychopathology, problems in using psychopharmacological medications post-surgery, body contouring, and recommendations for pre and post-surgery care. Available research indicates a decrease in psychiatric symptoms post-surgery. However, in some patients the improvement appears to erode over time. Therefore, bariatric surgery patients should be monitored not only before surgery but also following surgery and referred for mental health treatment if problems develop.

• Authors: Astrid Müller, James E Mitchell, Cindy Sondag, Martina de Zwaan
• Journal: Current psychiatry reports (Curr Psychiatry Rep) Vol. 15 Issue 10 Pg. 397 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1535-1645 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23963631 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Bariatric Surgery (psychology)
• Body Image
• Comorbidity
• Feeding and Eating Disorders (psychology)
• Humans
• Mental Disorders (etiology, prevention & control)
• Obesity (psychology, surgery)