Psychological evaluation of grade III obese patients before and after Bariatric Surgery

This study evaluates depression, anxiety, psychopathologic symptoms, alexithymia and defensive style of grade III obese patients, before and after bariatric surgery. The study followed a cross-sectional design, with a group of surgical candidates (Gr1, N=32) and one of postoperative patients (Gr2, N=33) between 6 and 33 months after the surgery. Instruments: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Symptom Assessment Scale (EAS-40), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) and Defensive Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). The results pointed to low levels of depression, anxiety, psychopathological symptoms and alexithymia in both groups, although those of Gr2 were significantly lower than those of Gr1 (p<0.05). Concerning the defensive style, Gr1 showed more immature defense (p<0. 02) than Gr2.

Severe obesity; defense mechanisms; alexithymia; psychopathological symptoms; depression