Eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery: A prospective study

TLDR

Postoperative vomiting may reflect failed binge attempts rather than purge behavior. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of eating pathology before and after bariatric surgery, examine its association with psychopathology, and evaluate its impact on outcomes. One hundred sixteen patients were assessed before surgery and again about 5.5 years later. Preoperatively, 52 % of patients binge ate, 16 % met binge eating disorder criteria, and 10 % had night eating syndrome, all of which were associated with cognitive distortions, yet presurgical eating pathology did not predict weight outcome or vomiting at follow‑up, where 33 % of patients vomited weekly. © 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Abstract

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 presurgical eating pathology and outcome. Method One hundred sixteen patients were evaluated prior to surgery and at follow-up an average of 5.5 years after surgery. Results Preoperative binge eating occurred in 52% of patients, 16% met criteria for binge eating disorder, and 10% had the night eating syndrome. All three forms of presurgical eating pathology were statistically associated with cognitive distortions. At follow-up, 33% of patients were vomiting at least weekly. There was no relationship between presurgical eating pathology and weight outcome or presence of vomiting at follow-up. Discussion Although postoperative vomiting usually does not represent purge behavior, it may represent failed attempts to binge. © 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 25: 293–300, 1999.