Quality of life after gastric bypass surgery: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Numerous reports document significant weight loss after gastric bypass; however, there is little objective data on postsurgical changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This study examined HRQL in four groups of patients: presurgery (T1), several weeks postsurgery (T2), 6 months postsurgery (T3), and 1 year postsurgery (T4). Subjects were given three HRQL measures: the short form 36 (SF-36), the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite Questionnaire (IWQOL-Lite), and the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS). Subjects also completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups on demographics or presurgical body mass index. Results showed significant differences between T1 and T2 on several SF-36 and IWQOL-Lite subscales, as well as the RSE and BDI. Significant differences were found on all measures between T2 and T3. Significant differences were found on all subscales of the IWQOL-Lite, but no subscales of the SF-36, the RSE, or the BDI between T3 and T4. DISCUSSION: This study is the first to objectively document these differences in several objective measures of HRQL, depression, and self-esteem after gastric bypass in a large sample. It is notable that many differences are apparent within several weeks after surgery. Furthermore, results indicate that the IWQOL-Lite may be more sensitive than the SF-36 to the changes of quality of life that gastric bypass patients report.