Abstract
Aims: The study aims were to describe the outcome of patients who had gastric bypass surgery within the last 5 years. Specifically, their current levels of general psychiatric symptomatology, eating disorder symptoms, social functioning and defence style were assessed. Variables tested, that may have influenced outcome tested, were age, marital status, weight, height and defence style.
Method: All patients were sent a set of postal questionnaires between one month and five years following gastric surgery. These were the Cooper Modified Social Adjustment Scale (SAS-M), the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40), the Symptom Checklist 53 (SCL-53) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Patients were also asked to respond to an open question about their views of the surgery and their outcome. Clinical and weight loss data were obtained through case records.
Results: 69 (85%) of eligible patients competed the questionnaires. Their mean age and BMI at the time of the operation was 40.7 years and 36.6 kg/m2. The percentage weight loss for patients was substantial and sustained at 24 months. No notable pattern of psychopathology was observed in the patient group compared to data from general population samples. Levels of social adjustment were higher, and levels of general psychiatric symptomatology were lower, than found in previous studies. There were trends for greater percentage weight loss at follow-up for those who were younger, married, and had a higher body mass index (BMI) pre-operatively. Many women reported feeling under-prepared and emotionally challenged by the physical, psychological and social adjustments needed post-operatively, especially in the first 12 months.
Conclusions: The Roux-en-Y vertical banded gastric bypass is an effective method of weight reduction and there was no evidence to support it being associated with increased psychological morbidity. Being younger, married and of lower weight was associated with greater weight loss. Psychological support should be offered both in preparation and post-operatively.