Background

Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) leads to beneficial and sustained outcomes. However, many patients evidence weight recurrence (formerly known as weight regain) and psychosocial functioning may be associated with weight recurrence. Whether or how psychopathology contributes to weight recurrence and other factors associated with post-operative functioning remains unclear. The current investigation seeks to examine the magnitude of the association between weight recurrence postoperative psychopathology, eating behaviors, adherence, alcohol misuse, and quality of life.

Methods

A sample of 163 diverse participants (69.3% women, 28.8% Black) consented to take a battery of self-report measures related to psychological functioning, eating behaviors, adherence, alcohol misuse, and quality of life along with their six year post-operative weight. Preoperative weight and weight loss nadir were also available for these participants in their medical records. Correlation coefficients were calculated between weight recurrence and other postoperative measures.

Results

Weight recurrence was quite variable in this sample (Mean = 31.34%,SD = 27.47%). Postoperative internalizing dysfunction scales (e.g., depression, anxiety) were modestly associated with greater weight recurrence(rs = .30-.43,ps < .05). Postoperative behavioral adherence, eating behaviors, and quality of life were also modestly associated with greater weight recurrence (rs = .30-.64, ps < .05). Alcohol misuse did not appear to be associated with greater weight recurrence.

Conclusions

Postoperative psychosocial functioning was associated with weight recurrence six-years following MBS. These results give rise to the importance of continued post-operative behavioral health support for patients after surgery to both mitigate weight recurrence and address and promote better psychosocial functioning.