Psychosocial Functioning and Body Experiences Three Years After Bariatric Surgery

Introduction: Bariatric surgery leads to sustained weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, but its effects on quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial functioning remain less understood. Objective: The study analyzed the impact of surgery on patients’ psychosocial functioning and body experiences 3 years postsurgery. Methods: A qualitative semistructured interviews explored psychosocial and body image changes. Results: The mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was 84.07%. Women experienced significantly greater weight loss than men (88% vs. 71%EWL, p = 0.025), but no differences were found for other sociodemographic factors. Improvement in comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea) was seen in 86.8% of patients. Despite an overall enhancement in QOL, some difficulties persisted, such as fear of weight regain, disordered eating, and body image problems. Conclusion: Body image issues after bariatric surgery are still insufficiently studied. Addressing all aspects of body image after surgery is essential to better prepare patients for the psychological challenges they may face.