Receptivity to Bariatric Surgery in Qualified Patients

Although bariatric surgery has been demonstrated to be the most effective weight loss intervention, there are low levels of interest among qualified individuals. The aim of this thesis was to examine the factors related to interest in bariatric surgery. Patients of the Wharton Weight Management Clinic who qualified for bariatric surgery were asked to complete an elective questionnaire. Of the 371 patients, 23% were interested in bariatric surgery. Participants who were interested in bariatric surgery had greater weight loss expectations from surgery, higher BMI, stronger social support and receptivity to surgery, but had less financial concerns and success in previous weight loss attempts (P<0.05). Even though all patients overestimated the weight loss effect of bariatric surgery, there is still a low interest in surgery and this may be related to social and financial factors, and the notion that bariatric surgery should only be done after other efforts have failed.