Impact of Restrictive Bariatric Surgery on Depression

Background: Obesity is a rapidly growing public health problem because of its prevalence, costs, and health effects as it adversely affects nearly all physiological functions of the body. Nonsurgical therapy leads to modest and transient weight loss. Surgery has been advocated as the only effective treatment for obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), also known as longitudinal or vertical gastrectomy, is a relatively new and effective surgical option for the management of morbid obesity in spite of its costs and complications. Objectives: The aim of this study is to promote psychological health among the studied group of morbidly obese patients during the present study in New Dammietta University hospital. Patients and Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2020, (40) obese patients at surgery department, Al - Azhar University Hospital (New Damietta) were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), while Group B underwent laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP). Patients data, operative time, complications, percentage of excess weight loss (EWL %), and level of depression were documented. Results: There is insignificant statistical difference between the two groups as regard, postoperative oral feeding and hospital stay. The operative time was longer for gastric plication group. The EWL% was more or less similar in the two groups. Vomiting was occurred more with greater curvature plication, hemorrhage and leak noticed only with sleeve gastrectomy. Depression with variant degrees and loss of hunger feeling were more with sleeve gastrectomy. Conclusion: Sleeve gastrectomy and greater curvature plication were having more or less similar results regarding (EWL) %. The extra benefits for greater curvature plication are its safety, low complication rates, cost efficiency and its reversibility. The role of Ghrelin hormone which decreased after sleeve gastrectomy, must be kept in mind, due to its role as antidepressant, cardio - protective, and anti - proliferative for breast cancer. Long - term results and more studies are needed to determine the ideal operation for each patient.