Bariatric Surgery and Substance Use Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Other Impulse Control Disorders

Abstract

As the prevalence of obesity continues to increase worldwide, bariatric surgery is increasingly being utilized for the severely obese. The most commonly performed surgery is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, which usually results in significant and sustained weight loss. However, increasingly, problems are being recognized after such procedures. One such problem is the development of alcohol use disorders, which may at least partially result from changes in the pharmacokinetics of alcohol after surgery. Eating problems can also develop, including binge eating or loss of control eating and, rarely, full-blown eating disorders. Other addictive disorders can occur as well, but have been much less studied. Clinicians need to be alert to the development of such problems and to institute proper evaluation and treatment if they occur.