Table 1.
Reported obesity-related health problems before and after surgery and the association of improvement with weigh loss.
| N = 101 | Before Surgery | After surgery | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical domain (%) | Yes | Consult Doctor | Improved | Medical consultation | Weight loss (p) | ||
| Tiredness | 77 | 28 | 59 | 5 | 0.03∗ | ||
| Shortness of breath | 70 | 21 | 60 | 4 | 0.49 | ||
| Back pain | 58 | 24 | 40 | 6 | 0.38 | ||
| Thrombosis | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | . | ||
| Cardiovascular condition | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0.30 | ||
| Joint problems | 64 | 43 | 45 | 17 | 0.77 | ||
| Diabetes | 9 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 0.03∗ | ||
| Hypertension | 27 | 16 | 19 | 5 | 0.91 | ||
| Increased cholesterol | 27 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0.94 | ||
| Other physical problemsa | 18 | 16 | 5 | 28 | 0.93 | ||
| Psychological domain (%) | Yes | No | Small | Large | Solved | Not applicable | Weight loss |
| Depressive symptoms | 56 | 8 | 11 | 28 | 11 | 43 | 0.08 |
| Excessive alcohol use | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 90 | 0.48 |
| Bulimia | 9 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 90 | 0.92 |
| Relationship problems | 19 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 80 | 0.88 |
| Low self-esteem | 63 | 3 | 13 | 32 | 15 | 37 | 0.14 |
| Avoiding social contact | 50 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 16 | 54 | 0.79 |
| Working problems/no work | 23 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 78 | 0.59 |
| Problems in the household | 29 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 73 | 0.36 |
| Shame | 74 | 7 | 9 | 34 | 21 | 29 | <0.01∗ |
| Problems with hobby/sports | 52 | 4 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 47 | 0.09 |
| Other problemsb | 12 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 84 | 0.61 |
∗ = statistically significant.
a
Before surgery: other physical obesity-related problems mentioned: edema, gastric reflux, open wounds, sleeping problems, gall stones, mobility problems, varicose veins stomach pain, hair loss, fertility problems. After surgery: stomach, bowels, swallowing, eating, reflux and fertility.
b
Other obesity-related problems: problems buying clothes, guilt toward their spouse and children for inactivity.