Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Treatment satisfaction is simultaneously a cause and consequence of the success of bariatric surgery – not only it is a reflection of the efficacy of treatment, it also enhances weight loss. A questionnaire that evaluates this variable has recently been created and validated by the authors (Post-Bariatric Surgery Satisfaction Questionnaire).

Objectives: To identify patients’ expectations regarding bariatric surgery; to identify the domains that contribute to the degree of satisfaction after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Patients submitted to bariatric surgery who presented to our Obesity Outpatient Clinic between June and December/2013 were asked to complete two questionnaires – Patients’ Expectations Questionnaire and Post-Bariatric Surgery Satisfaction Questionnaire (22 items, five-point scale – 1 – very dissatisfied, 5 – very satisfied). Demographic and clinical data were also collected.

Results: A total of 86 patients were included (67% submitted to laparoscopic gastric bypass and 33% to adjustable gastric banding): 86% female, median age 50 years (min–max =23–73), median follow-up time since surgery 37 months (min–max=1–220). Actual and idealized BMI of patients was 31.7 kg/m² and 27.7 kg/m², respectively. Actual and idealized percentage of excess BMI lost was 68.8 and 85.1%, respectively. The majority of the patients selected the items ‘reduce weight’ (98.8%), ‘improve health’ (98.8%), ‘be able to choose clothing I like’ (91.9%) and ‘improve self-esteem’ (91.9%). Patients were satisfied to very satisfied in all analyzed items (median score between 1.0 and 2.0). However, 34.9% of patients feel dissatisfied to very dissatisfied with their ‘naked physical appearance’, and 12.8% with ‘the need of chronic medication’. 91.9% of the patients would recommend surgery to others and 90.1% of patients would undergo surgery again.

Conclusion: Patients were satisfied to very satisfied in all items tested, despite having unrealistic expectations. It is essential to assess what affects patients’ satisfaction in order to understand their behavior and optimize our intervention.