Bariatric surgery and bariatric psychology: Evolution of the Dutch approach

Background Success of bariatric surgery is largely dependent on patients' abilities to change their lifestyle and underlying psychosocial and behavioral factors; these factors should be carefully scrutinized. However, no consensus or guidelines exist for these evaluations. Materials and Methods To get a better understanding of the practice of bariatric surgery and bariatric psychology in The Netherlands and its evolution, a survey of bariatric surgery programs was conducted. Results Between 2000 and 2005, performance of bariatric surgery in The Netherlands has increased from 564 to more than 2,000 annually, mostly adjustable gastric banding. Most hospitals have a multidisciplinary selection process, and in 89% of the cases, a mental health specialist was involved. Conclusion Bariatric surgery in The Netherlands has increased tremendously; however, it is mostly limited to restrictive procedures, and there is no consensus regarding the psychological evaluation of patients.