The Effect of COVID-19 on Bariatric Surgery Patients in Türkiye: The Risk, Weight Gain, Psychological Symptoms

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant effects both psychologically and physiologically around the world. Because obesity causes respiratory disorders, psychological disorders, and comorbidities, obese individuals are at higher risk for complications of the COVID-19 virus. The aim of this study was to compare the physiological and psychological effects against COVID-19 infection between patients who underwent bariatric surgery during the pandemic period and patients who did not. Methods A total of 307 participants were included in this study. The COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale and a survey consisting of 40 questions were administered to the participants. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent bariatric surgery (Group BS) and those who did not undergo surgery (Group NBS). Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Results In this study, it was found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced the severity of physiological and psychological symptoms associated with COVID-19 ( P = 0.00). It was also seen to reduce the presence of obesity-related diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, asthma, and insulin resistance. The use of vitamin D, vitamin C, multivitamin, protein powder, iron, vitamin B12, and zinc was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients who underwent bariatric surgery ( P < 0.05). Conclusion According to the results of this study, the bariatric surgery group had a lower risk of physiological and psychological symptoms against the COVID-19 virus compared with the nonsurgery group, thanks to the management of chronic diseases and improvement of some psychological symptoms.