Significance of Psychological Treatment of Morbidly Obese Patients after Bariatric Surgery

Conservative treatments are not very effective in morbidly obese patients. Because of that, bariatric surgery plays an increasing role in the treatment of these patients. Obese patients are rarely willing to undergo psychotherapy preoperatively despite frequent comorbidities such as eating disorders and/or mental disorders. Several studies, however, have demonstrated that obese patients with comorbid mental disorders show greater difficulties in adapting postoperatively. Therefore psychological or psychotherapeutic treatment seems to be needed to gain an early understanding of possible psychological or eating problems. However, the willingness to take part in psychological treatment programs is generally low.