Survey: Most adults satisfied with bariatric surgery, would pursue earlier
Impaired physical health and reduced quality of life, among other considerations, were main decisive factors for adults with obesity to pursue bariatric surgery, according to data published in Clinical Obesity.
“Given the worldwide increasing prevalence of severe obesity with its associated comorbidities and considering the scientific evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery, it is surprising that only a fraction of patients with obesity undergo surgical weight-loss intervention,” Jeannette Widmer, MD, senior physician in the department of surgery and transplantation at University Hospital Zurich, and colleagues wrote. “Patients suffering from obesity seem to face complex and multilayered barriers, which delay or even prevent efficient and established treatment strategies.”
Widmer and colleagues surveyed 665 adult who underwent bariatric surgery and were voluntarily recruited from obesity-related social media groups between April and June 2020. The online survey was a self-designed, nonvalidated questionnaire consisting of 20 questions and was open to any participant with a history of bariatric surgery.
Researchers found that most respondents attributed their obesity to overeating (79.8%), physical inactivity (56%), genetic factors (40.1%) and/or lack of discipline (39.5%).
Researchers found 85.1% of respondents said they were very satisfied or satisfied with their postoperative result, with 70% reporting they were very satisfied or satisfied 5 years after surgery. Among the respondents, 73.3% said with hindsight, they would have undergone weight-loss surgery earlier. The main motivations reported for choosing surgery included restriction in daily activities (45.1%), health status (32.6%) and having “enough of diets” (11.6%).
Respondents said bariatric surgeons who earn their trust take time to listen (74.7%), have empathy (64%) and show sympathy (56%). Nearby location (46.3%) and friend recommendations (35.4%) were the most decisive factors for bariatric center selection.
“Future management of patients with obesity should include accurate transfer of information to all parties and interdisciplinary decision-making on therapy escalation,” the researchers concluded.
Collapse
Read more about