Quality of life in morbidly obese patients after surgical weight loss

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is seen as a safe surgical procedure in individuals with morbid obesity, with satisfactory weight loss and significant postoperative improvement in quality of life (QoL). The present study investigates the predictive value of various parameters such as age, gender, weight loss, and preoperative psychiatric disorders with regard to QoL after LAGB. Methods: 300 obesity surgery patients were sent questionnaires to assess a variety of personal parameters. QoL was assessed using the Ardelt-Moorehead Quality of Life Questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by 140 (63%) female patients and 36 (45%) male patients. Results: Average weight loss in both sexes was 14.7 kg/m(2); however, not all patients successfully lost weight. No difference was seen in satisfaction with weight loss among the age groups. Some correlations were seen between the amount of weight loss and QoL scores in females, but not in males. Greater weight loss showed a statistically significant positive correlation to self-esteem, physical activity, social relationships, sexuality, and eating pattern. Obese females with no preoperative psychiatric diagnosis had better self-esteem, more physical activity, and more satisfying social and sexual relationships than those with psychiatric diagnoses at follow-up. Conclusion: A majority of morbidly obese patients show psychological and interpersonal improvement after surgery. However, some obese patients, particularly those having a preoperative psychiatric or personality disorder, need more individual strategies for psychosocial intervention than do obese individuals with no psychiatric disorder.