Behavioral characteristics of severely obese patients seeking bariatric surgery: cross-sectional study with alimentary interview.

The authors' aim in this study was to gain insight on the eating behaviors of severely obese patients seeking bariatric surgery. The authors compared anthropometric and alimentary interview data on 50 patients applying for biliopancreatic diversion with data obtained from 50 severely obese individuals enrolling in a behavior modification weight-loss program. The severely obese patients seeking bariatric surgery were metabolically more compromised than were their counterparts enrolled in the conservative treatment group, whereas the latter more often reported compromised eating behaviors. These unexpected results could reflect changes in the widespread attitudes toward bariatric surgery-that unlike in the past, it is now considered a safe and effective method to treat a serious disease.