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Psychosocial Consequences of Bariatric Surgery: Two Sides of a Coin: a Scoping Review

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Abstract

This scoping review summarizes current evidence with regard to the impact of bariatric surgery on psychological health in adults with obesity. While a large body of evidence reports major metabolic benefit and improved quality of life, there is also ample evidence suggesting an increased incidence of self-harming behavior, a greater likelihood of developing an alcohol problem and higher rates of completed suicide among bariatric patients. Being able to identify the “at risk” patient population requires more longitudinal research into the risk factors for psychological complications after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery remains an extremely valuable long-term treatment option for managing obesity; however, there is a need to invest in mitigating psychological complications after the surgery, such as depression, alcohol consumption, and other self-harming behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, ON I Herestraat 49 - bus 902, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Amber Van den Eynde, Ann Mertens, Roman Vangoitsenhoven, Ann Meulemans, Christophe Matthys, Ellen Deleus, Matthias Lannoo & Bart Van der Schueren

  2. Department of Endocrinology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Amber Van den Eynde, Ann Mertens, Roman Vangoitsenhoven, Ann Meulemans, Christophe Matthys & Bart Van der Schueren

  3. Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Ellen Deleus & Matthias Lannoo

  4. Center for Public Health Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, UZ Herestraat 49 - bus 7003, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Ronny Bruffaerts

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  1. Amber Van den Eynde
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Correspondence to Amber Van den Eynde.

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Key Points

1. Quality of life improves in patients that undergo bariatric surgery.

2. Increased risk for depression, substance abuse, and self-harm after bariatric surgery.

3. More longitudinal research is necessary to identify at risk patient population.

4. Uniformity in screening methods, instruments are necessary to decrease complications.

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Van den Eynde, A., Mertens, A., Vangoitsenhoven, R. et al. Psychosocial Consequences of Bariatric Surgery: Two Sides of a Coin: a Scoping Review. OBES SURG 31, 5409–5417 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05674-6

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