Psychological and Personality Predictors of Weight Loss and Comorbid Metabolic Changes After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Bariatric surgery (BS) has proven to be the most effective treatment for weight loss and for improving comorbidities in severe obesity. A comprehensive psychological assessment prior to surgery is proposed to prepare patients for a successful post-surgical outcome. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to assess psychological and personality predictors of BS outcome. The sample comprised 139 severely obese patients who underwent BS. Assessment measures included the Eating Disorders Inventory-2, the Symptom Checklist-Revised and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised. Our results show that favourable BS outcome, after 2 years follow up, was associated with younger age, less depression, moderate anxiety symptoms and high cooperativeness levels. Likewise, metabolic improvements were found to be linked to younger age and certain psychopathological factors. In conclusion, our findings suggest that age, baseline body mass index, psychopathological indexes and personality traits predict successful BS outcome.

Personality characteristics and bariatric surgery outcomes: a systematic review

“…While these results are not contradictory, they are in opposite directions. Considering that the sample in one of these studies was small 41 and that other articles 12,14,21 did not detect these associations, it can be concluded that there is no consensus in relation to self-transcendence and outcomes of weight reduction or bulimic behavior/vomiting.…”

“…Three studies 12,33,40 assessed patients beyond 12 months, just one of which conducted follow-up at 36 and 48 months. 40 It is notable that in the context of personality assessment, few studies conducted long-term follow-up of these patients, especially beyond 18 months, when the likelihood of weight gain is higher.…”

“…Agüera et al 12 TCI-R WL (50% or greater of EW) and metabolic results ↑C was associated with losing more than 50% of EW and with %EWL (predictive model), but was not predictive of comorbidities during the postoperative period.…”

“…Just two articles associated the other two factors that comprise the Character dimension of the Cloninger model with weight loss, cooperativeness in one 12 and self-directedness in another. 41 These characteristics of character do not appear to be determinants of weight loss in patients who underwent BS.…”

“…age, sex, educational level), 12 health variables (e.g. weight, clinical co-morbidities and psychopathologies), 12,13 support network, coping, personal characteristics, and pathological traits (e.g. impulsivity, flexibility).…”