Some patients I see in clinic continue to visit psychotherapists even though they have had spectacular weight loss with gastric band or gastric bypass surgery. They still feel they have “issues” with food.
I find this really interesting because there is a widespread misconception amongst weight loss surgery patients themselves that obesity has a large psychological component. It just isn’t true. I have hunted for psychological studies that may predict success or failure but there are none. Obesity is not fundamentally a psychological problem. So, if you are a binge eater, a sweet eater, a savoury eater, a person who eats when they are depressed – take heart. Outcomes following weight loss surgery – gastric band or gastric bypass – are almost identical whatever the “cause” of your weight.
Dr David Ashton
28th May 2010
