Changes in Patients’ Relationship Satisfaction After Weight Loss Surgery: Results of a Study of Persons with Morbid Obesity and Their Relationship Satisfaction Before and 1 Year After Bariatric Surgery

Objective Bariatric surgery is a life-changing treatment, but knowledge of its influence on changes in relationship satisfaction (RS) is still limited. The present study examines whether a patient’s RS changes after having bariatric surgery, in response to the surgery-induced weight loss. The predictive value of further variables such as age and sex are also investigated. Methods A total of 145 participants scheduled for bariatric surgery were recruited between September 2015 and June 2018. RS was assessed with a reliable and valid short form of a standardized self-report measure, which was completed before, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Results Loss of excess weight at 6 and 12 months post-surgery was 49% and 66.3%, respectively. The repeated measures ANOVA for the factor “PFB-K” revealed a statistically significant effect, with F (2, 288) = 7.40, p = .001, and η2 = .05, and for the factor “BMI” with F (2, 288) = 505.99, p < .001, and η2 = .78. The highest mean RS score was observed 6 months post-surgery. Sex showed a statistical trend of influence on RS: F (1, 143) = 3.24, p = .074, and η2 = .022. At all three measurement points, men showed higher mean RS scores than women. Conclusion Bariatric surgery leads to significant weight loss and indicates an increase in RS. While a correlation with the amount of weight lost remains unclear, a trend was seen towards higher RS in subjects with higher weight loss. Men in particular reported higher RS.