Increased focus on the mental health of young obesity surgery patients

Study points out how important follow-ups are to evaluate patients? psychological well-being after gastric bypass surgery. Photo: Shutterstock Research from Lund University shows that one in five adolescents who have undergone obesity surgery experience poor mental health. Some have even had suicidal thoughts. The study is based on follow-up studies of 88 adolescents who have undergone obesity surgery. 'It is extremely important that the focus of healthcare providers is not limited to their patients? physical well-being', says psychologist Kajsa Järvholm. Psychologically speaking, adolescents who are considered for obesity surgery are a very vulnerable group. Most of them are cared for both physically and mentally, but there are those who suffer after the surgery: they are depressed and some of them experience thoughts of suicide.