Signs of Depression Following Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Background: Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) related to depression and predictors of changes in depression are still unclear. Our goal was to investigate signs of depression after LGB. Methods: Two hundred three patients who underwent LGB for treatment of morbid obesity in our department between January 1997 and December 2008 were investigated, using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) to assess and measure the severity of depression following surgery. Additional data was collected from patients’ charts and telephone questionnaire and included demographic data, psychiatric illness and treatment before surgery, BMI before LGB and at the time of interview, % excess weight loss (%EWL), and primary bariatric and additional surgery for repair, reposition, and exchange of the band. Results: A significant correlation was found between PHQ-9 score and weight loss after surgery measured by %EWL (p<0.001) and selfesteem-after the surgery (p<0.01). Self-esteem after the surgery was significantly correlated with %EWL (p=0.001). Men’s self-esteem before surgery was significantly higher than women’s (p=0.037), while selfesteem after surgery was the same in both groups. PHQ-9 score was significantly higher in women than in men, 5.34 and 3.39, respectively (p=0.01). Conclusions: Among predictive variables checked for changes in symptoms of depression, weight loss had the greatest impact on symptoms of depression and quality of life. Success at weight loss correlated with lower risk for developing symptoms of depression, higher self-esteem after surgery, and greater satisfaction from the procedure. We recommend closed follow-up and psychologist involvement for women because they had a greater tendency for developing symptoms of depression.