Eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery: A prospective study

Objective: The objectives of the study were (1) to determine the prevalence of eating pathology in patients before bariatric surgery and at follow-up; (2) to assess the relationship of presurgical eating pathology to various measures of psychopathology; and (3) to assess the relationship between pre surgical eating pathology and outcome. Method: One hundred sixteen patients were evaluated prior to surgery and at follow-up an average of 5.5 years a fter surgery. Results: Preoperative binge eating occurred in 52% of patient s, 16% met criteria for binge eating disorder, and 10% had the night eating syndrome. All three forms of presurgical eating pathology were statistical ly associated with cognitive distortions. At follow-up, 33% of patients wer e vomiting at least weekly. There was no relationship between presurgical e ating pathology and weight outcome or presence of vomiting at follow-up. Di scussion: Although postoperative vomiting usually does not represent purge behavior, it may represent failed attempts to binge. (C) 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.