Psychological effects of lab band (or other) surgery

[louisem]

Hi all

I am fairly new here but I thought I would share some research that I found. I have been looking at both medical and other scientific journals to investigate the effects of lap band surgery. The health benefits and risks are easy to find but there isn't as much written about the psychological effects. I had heard about some possible negative consequences like a higher risk of alcoholism and depression and wanted to make sure I was fully informed. I finally found an article that is a review of over 50 other sources. I'll leave the full article name below but here is a summary of the findings.

Positive effects

-in addition to the health benefits, the psychological benefits are just as strong if not stronger. Patients tested before and a year after surgery showed a large decrease in depression and and increase and quality of life and self image.

- There was no evidence of people turning to drugs/alcohol at a higher rate after surgery

- there was no evidence of an increase in depression after surgery

Negative

- occasional instances of identity crisis, new relationship demands, and unrealistic expectations regarding body image after weight loss. Some patients were not prepared for excess skin that can come with fast weight loss.

Over all the psychological benefits might be considered as even stronger than the health benefits which is another reason to consider it as an option.

I did find some other articles but this one was the most comprehensive

This article "Psychological consequences of weight loss after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients: A review" was written by J.F. Kinzl from the department of psychiatry at Innsbruck Medical University, Austria. It was published in the journal Minerva Psichiatrica volume 48, issue 4, December 1, 2007.

[nothereanymore]

That’s great information and I feel like I've lived it. I really am a much more confidant person and things don’t bother me like they use too.

Love it, and the other is right on – I was lucky that I could deal with the problems left over with the weight loss but it’s a real issue for most and very bothersome.

Another thing I wasn’t prepared form was that people will treat you different as you loose the weight. I have a hard time with that. I’m very into being fair, kind and consistent and I don’t like the fact that thin people are treated better than obese by most people - that really bugs me. I don't think I noticed it before, but I wasn't as outgoing when I was bigger. But its there.

Good to hear about the alcohol, I drank my glass of wine when I was big, and I still drink it (but I actually drink a smaller glass and it kicks my butte) We’ll need to tell the poster from the Alcohol recovery unit that bit of info, I get tired of seeing his links.....

Thanks!

Lisa