Experienced Weight Stigma Changes Following Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

BACKGROUND: Experiencing weight stigmatization is linked to maladaptive eating, poorer mental health, and increased risk of weight gain, potentially impacting metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) outcomes. This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize patient experiences of weight stigmatization before and after MBS and to examine the association of presurgical weight stigma on postsurgical weight loss. METHODS: This preregistered study followed PRISMA guidelines. Six databases were searched through March 2025; eligible studies included published articles and dissertations/theses available in English that quantitatively measured presurgical weight stigma among MBS samples and included relevant outcomes. Meta-analyses utilized random effects models with change scores converted to Hedge's g and associations between presurgical experienced weight stigma and post-MBS weight change converted to coefficient r. RESULTS: Forty-one studies were included, with 36 reporting on experienced weight stigma change pre- to post-MBS and 10 studies reporting on the relationship between pre-MBS experienced weight stigma and post-MBS weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Results revealed weight stigmatization decreased substantially after MBS (6-12 months, g = 1.28; 13-24 months, g = 1.16; 25-36 months, g = 1.26). Presurgical weight stigma was not associated with weight loss post-surgery (r = 0.05). Findings are limited by minimal studies reporting on longer term relationships between baseline stigma, post-MBS weight loss, and additional health outcomes.