Yitka Graham

There is strong evidence demonstrating the impact of bariatric surgery on weight‐loss and comorbidity improvement. In the UK, there is specific guidance to facilitate the assessment of a person's suitability for bariatric surgery. This paper highlights the clinical reality of routinely implementing this guidance, supported by literature and the perspectives of practicing psychologists. The consequences of the implementation of clinical guidelines within the context of the typical biopsychosocial profile of those referred for bariatric surgery are discussed. The ramifications of a screening approach rather than a clinical formulation‐based approach to assessment, impact of a possible unconscious bias in commissioning and an overemphasis on a biomedical model approach to treatment are also presented. These contextual factors are argued to contribute to a population of “forgotten patients” that is, patients who have been assessed as not suitable for bariatric surgery, and thus “stuck” in their journey toward better health. For these individuals the only option left are energy balance only approaches, which are the very same approaches to weight‐loss and comorbidity improvement that have been attempted, often for many years. Not only have these approaches not resulted in weight‐loss and health improvement, they also fail to address the underlying psychological causes of obesity. Consequently, this lack of support means that patients continue to suffer from poor quality of life, with no clear pathway to improved health and wellbeing. This paper illuminates the clear gaps in weight management service provision, the implementation of guidelines in practice, and offers practical suggestions to reduce the unintended consequences of clinical guidelines for bariatric surgery.

This study aimed to describe nutritional and lifestyle parameters following one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). A multicenter study among OAGB patients across Israel (n = 277) and Portugal (n = 111) was performed. Patients were approached according to the time elapsed since surgery. An online survey with information regarding demographics, anthropometrics, and nutritional and lifestyle aspects was administered in both countries simultaneously. Respondents from Israel (pre-surgery age of 41.6 ± 11.0 years, 75.8% females) and Portugal (pre-surgery age of 45.6 ± 12.3 years, 79.3% females) reported changes in their appetite (≤94.0% and ≤94.6%), changes in their taste (≤51.0 and ≤51.4%), and intolerance to specific foods (i.e., red meat, pasta, bread, and rice). Bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations were generally followed well, but a trend toward lower adherence was evident in groups with longer time elapsed since surgery in both countries. Most respondents from Israel and Portugal reported participation in follow-up meetings with a surgeon (≤94.0% and 100%) and a dietitian (≤92.6% and ≤100%), while far fewer reported participation in any follow-up meeting with a psychologist/social worker (≤37.9% and ≤56.1%). Patients following OAGB might experience changes in appetite, taste, and intolerance to specific foods. Adherence to bariatric surgery-related eating recommendations is not always satisfying, especially in the longer term post-surgery.