Ask anyone who has undergone weight loss surgery in the past few years, and you will almost always hear the same response: “I feel so much better about life!”, “I wish I’d done it years earlier,” and “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done!”

Both patients and medical practitioners now recognise the immense medical benefits of weight loss surgery. These include complete resolution or significant improvements in conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, and osteoarthritic disorders. However, most patients seeking surgery are driven by the substantial non-medical benefits, such as improved self-esteem, confidence, mobility, and increased energy levels.

Depression & Anxiety

The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) trial, which involved thousands of obese patients, demonstrated a significant decrease in depression and anxiety after surgery compared to obese controls treated with diet and exercise counselling.

Self-Concept and Personality

Self-concept refers to a patient’s perception of themselves, including key aspects such as self-esteem, body image, self-confidence, and a sense of attractiveness and assertiveness. A recent review of the literature suggests that weight loss surgery enhances self-esteem, self-confidence, and expressiveness. These changes are correlated with major improvements in body image and satisfaction with weight loss after surgery. Various studies have reported that 89-96% of patients experience improved self-esteem, even if they have not lost as much weight as anticipated.

Mobility

Many obese individuals find it difficult to engage in activities they might otherwise enjoy and face limitations in movement and mobility. Evidence shows that weight loss surgery reduces the proportion of people with a physical handicap due to obesity from 50% down to 6%.

Vitality

The lack of motivation and persistent tiredness that many obese patients experience is dramatically improved following surgery. Quality of life scores indicate that vitality scores doubled from 35 to 67 post-surgery.

Sexuality

In a study of patients following sleeve gastrectomy, 85% reported improvements in their sexual life.

Social Functioning

Surgical weight loss has been shown to reduce the mockery and discrimination faced by obese patients. “Public Distress” and “Social Functioning” scores on quality-of-life questionnaires showed significant improvements.

For most obese patients, the impaired quality of life is the most debilitating aspect of their condition, despite the presence of medical comorbidities that can be improved. After surgery, they often regard the lifestyle enhancements as the greatest benefit.