Studies on Body Image Changes After Bariatric Surgery in Adults

After the failure of various nutritional or dietetic treatments, patients with severe obesity frequently approach bariatric surgery for reasons related to both physical (e.g., weight loss, increased life expectancy) and psychological health (e.g., body image, quality of life, psychological well-being). After bariatric surgery, the majority of patients show a rapid weight loss, mainly occurring in the first 6–12 months after the procedure, and most of the time the physical health concerns (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea) improve. In a similar way, also body shape and its functionality undergo extreme changes.