Psychological Functioning and Health Behaviors Associated with Weight Loss Patterns up to 13.7 Years After Weight Loss Surgery.

Weight loss surgery produces dramatic health improvements immediately after surgery, including rapid declines in diabetes. However, less is known about its long-term effects. 124 St. Vincent Bariatric Center patients completed questionnaires on weight and psychological functioning a mean of 7.7 and 13.7 years post-surgery (T1 and T2, respectively). Because mean weight data may mask differing weight trajectories, participants were categorized based on weight over time. Most participants underwent Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (90.3%) and were Caucasian (96%), female (81.5%), and married (69.1%). Mean age at T2 was 64; mean %EWL was 64.9%. Most patients fit into one of three weight change patterns, reaching weight nadir, and regaining by T1 and then, by T2, experiencing (1) Weight Loss (n = 36), (2) Weight Maintenance (n = 37), or (3) Continued Weight Gain (n = 39). Groups differed significantly on body satisfaction, weighing frequency, and conscientiousness, with Weight Gainers significantly lower than other groups on conscientiousness and body satisfaction, and Weight Losers reporting higher frequency of weighing than Maintainers. Bariatric patients can maintain substantial weight loss and positive psychological functioning for many years post-surgery, although weight regain is associated with less body satisfaction. Conscientiousness may signify medical adherence, whereas frequent weighing may be a behavior that promotes ongoing weight loss.

Exercise Testing Reveals Everyday Physical Challenges of Bariatric Surgery Candidates.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have quantified cardiorespiratory fitness among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Treadmill testing allows researchers to determine exercise capacity through metabolic equivalents. These findings can assist clinicians in understanding patients' capabilities to carry out various activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to determine exercise tolerance and the variables associated with fitness, among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. METHODS: Bariatric surgery candidates completed submaximal treadmill testing and provided ratings of perceived exertion. Each participant also completed questionnaires related to history of exercise, mood, and perceived barriers/benefits of exercise. RESULTS: Over half of participants reported that exercise was "hard to very hard" before reaching 70% of heart rate reserve, and one-third of participants reported that exercise was "moderately hard" at less than 3 metabolic equivalents (light activity). Body mass index and age accounted for the majority of the variance in exercise tolerance, but athletic history, employment status, and perceived health benefits also contributed. Perceived benefit scores were higher than barrier scores. CONCLUSION: Categories commonly used to describe moderate-intensity exercise (3-6 metabolic equivalents) do not coincide with perceptions of intensity among many bariatric surgery candidates, especially those with a body mass index of 50 or more.