Psychosomatic Aspects of Bariatric Surgery

Approximately half of participants in a conservative weight loss program (“lifestyle” interventions) reduce their weight by 5–10%, which represents the minimum weight loss in terms of a clinically significant reduction in somatic risk parameters. In addition to the high rate of non-responders, weight regain is more the rule than the exception. About a third to a half of the original therapy responders have regained their initial weight within one year after the end of treatment, and even in long-term treatments, on average, only 4–5% of the initial weight loss can be maintained (Look AHEAD Research Group 2014). Particularly in the case of severe obesity (Grade 3; BMI > 40 kg/m2), the success of a consistent conservative measure is likely to be even lower. The figures here range between 2% and 6.9% weight loss (Mingrone et al. 2015).