The relationship between weight change and psychopathological, psychosocial factors and problem eating behaviors at the 6th year following bariatric surgery

Objective: To evaluate individuals who underwent bariatric surgery in terms of psychopathological and psychosocial factors and problematic eating behaviors before surgery and at the 6th postoperative year, and to comparatively examine the relationship of these variables with weight regain. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven individuals who were in their 6th year post-bariatric surgery were included in the study. Participants were administered a sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), COPE Inventory (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 Short Form (BIS-11), Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS), Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and Obesogenic Environment Assessment Scale. Results: Among the participants, 31 (54.4%) were in the weight regain group, and 26 (45.6%) were in the non-weight regain group. The rates of those who found preoperative information insufficient and those who regretted their surgical decision were significantly higher in the weight regain group. The rate of receiving post-surgical dietician support was significantly higher in the non-weight regain group. Emotional eating, depression, and anxiety scores were found to be higher in the weight regain group during the postoperative period. Conclusion: The long-term success of bariatric surgery is not limited solely to surgical techniques and physiological effects; it is also closely related to patients' psychosocial characteristics, behavioral patterns, and adherence to lifestyle changes. Keywords: Bariatric surgery, Weight Regain, Eating Behaviors.