Faculty Collaboration Database

Why patients seek bariatric surgery: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of patient motivation. Obes Surg 2007 Nov;17(11):1487-91

Date

01/26/2008

Pubmed ID

18219776

DOI

10.1007/s11695-008-9427-9

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-39749105524 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   104 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is becoming a common procedure to control the obesity problem in the United States. However, despite the prevalence of the surgery, little is known regarding the motivation of patients who seek out these procedures. This present study aims to qualitatively and quantitatively examine in a moderate-sized sample of bariatric seeking patients their reported reasons for wanting surgery.

METHODS: 109 severely obese patients (mean BMI 49.9) seeking either the duodenal switch or gastric bypass surgery between 1999 and 2002 were surveyed as to their motivations for seeking weight loss surgery. Their responses were coded into psychological, medical and quality of life categories for analysis. Depression and Quality of Life data was also obtained.

RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of the data indicated the vast majority (73.4%) of respondents endorsed current medical ailments as their primary reason for seeking weight loss surgery. Patients who responded with a secondary reason for desiring surgery reported primarily psychological and quality of life reasons. Scores on depression and quality of life measures did not impact their endorsed reasons for seeking surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the present sample appear motivated for surgery primarily to control current medical problems. However, a significant portion of patients do endorse psychological and quality of life factors as important in their decision to seek weight loss surgery.

Author List

Munoz DJ, Lal M, Chen EY, Mansour M, Fischer S, Roehrig M, Sanchez-Johnsen L, Dymek-Valenitine M, Alverdy J, le Grange D

Author

Lisa Sanchez-Johnsen PhD Center Associate Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Bariatric Surgery
Body Image
Body Mass Index
Depressive Disorder
Female
Humans
Life Style
Male
Motivation
Obesity, Morbid
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Quality of Life
Self Concept