Psychological effects of bariatric surgery on subjects with morbid obesity [Cambios psicológicos tras cirugía bariátrica en personas con obesidad mórbida]

The main aim is to analyze the effects on physical and psychological health of different surgical procedures to treat morbid obesity. We also analyze the degree of patient satisfaction regarding intervention and outcome. The sample comprised 26 subjects with morbid obesity (23 women and 4 men) who received surgery to reduce their weight (vertical ring gastroplasty or adjustable silicone gastric banding). The results show that these techniques are effective methods to promote weight loss in morbid obesity and to reduce complications associated with obesity. However, the results show that patients prefer methods with fewer post-surgical complications, even if weight losses are smaller. The psychosocial benefits associated with bariatric surgery and patient satisfaction with outcome are less related to weight loss and more to changes in other psychological and behavioral variables.