Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:417-429
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
Psychological and social aspects of the surgical treatment of obesity
AJ Stunkard, JL Stinnett and JW Smoller
New surgical procedures have revolutionized the treatment of morbid obesity
(more than 100% overweight), a condition associated with serious medical
complications and for which conservative treatment has been largely
ineffective. These procedures, which are surprisingly safe, produce large
weight losses and marked improvement in hypertension, diabetes, and other
disorders influenced by obesity. Striking changes also occur in vocational
and psychosocial functioning, including marital and sexual relations, in
eating behavior, in food preferences, and in body image. The emotional
state of patients during weight loss following surgery is far superior to
that during attempts at weight reduction by other methods. The surgical
procedures appear to produce a major biological change, perhaps lowering a
body weight set point.
