Weight Loss Surgery and Suicide
Summary: Is there a connection between weight loss surgery and suicide? Studies suggest that weight loss surgery may lead to an increased risk of suicide in post-surgery patients.
There is certainly a lot being said these days about the benefits of weight loss surgery. But you have to dig a little deeper to find the down side of surgery for weight loss — the risks, complications and other negative elements.
A blogger for the health section of the New York Times has dug up some interesting data that suggests a connection between weight loss surgery and an increased risk of suicide. The blog post points to data from multiple studies that seem to suggest the connection between weight loss surgery and suicide.
One study was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, who reviewed nearly 17,000 weight loss surgeries performed in Pennsylvania over nearly a decade. The second study was reported through the New England Journal of Medicine, citing research data from nearly 10,000 bariatric surgeries in Utah. Both studies seem to suggest an increased risk of suicide in patients who have undergone surgery for weight loss.
The results of these studies will undoubtedly lead to more research into the possible connection between weight loss surgery and increase suicide risks.
Surgery News | Senior Editor | 
October 17, 2007 5:09 pm
By cortez, November 17, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Concerning the increased risk of suicide in patients who have had bariatric surgery, I wonder if their addictions were shockingly interrupted which caused severe depression.
One reason that someone might consider the surgery could be because they have become such an addict to too much food. Without the proper counseling, the addict’s ability to self medicate with the food is taken away. Cold turkey without a support network or exercise is very likely to drive an addict into despair.
That’s what I would be afraid of, if I had bariatric surgery. I would need to start addiction counseling before having the surgery.