Brief Strategic Therapy and Results of Gastric Banding
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| Bariatric Surgery information Brief Strategic Therapy and Results of Gastric Banding |
About Patient Counseling |
| The Role of Brief Strategic Therapy in the Results of Gastric Banding The success of bariatric surgery can be measured in different ways and depends on many factors. The aim of this study was to assess if pre-operative Brief Strategic Therapy (BST), a specific psychological support, can positively influence the results (weight loss, improvement in health status and quality of life, QOL) in the short- and long-term. Method 500 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding from 1996 to 1999 were evaluated both objectively (weight loss, health status) and subjectively (improvement in QOL and self-perception). We compared these results with those of a group of 145 patients treated with preoperative Brief Strategic Therapy (6 sessions average). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the percent of excess weight loss (< 40%, 40-60%, > 60%). The Moorehead-Ardelt QOL Questionnaire scoring was used. Individual interviews were conducted to understand emotional feelings and to evaluate the actual changes in the QOL and eating habits. Results Patients treated preoperatively with Brief Strategic Therapy had 46% excess weight loss (EWL) at 1 year which was significantlly different from patients non-treated (40% EWL). In the following years, treated patients showed better results, although not statistically significant. QOL improved objectively and subjectively. Conclusion Pre-operative Brief Strategic Therapy gives a satisfactory result. In addition, good compliance preoperatively corrected eating habits that has been maintained through the years and is a good predictor of long-term success. Source: Surgery to Reduce Obesity |