Apprehensions of Morbidly Obese People Regarding Bariatric Surgery

Introduction Obesity has emerged as a major public health issue in both developed and developing countries. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise. Bariatric surgery is acknowledged as the most effective and safe solution for this problem. It has been shown to be effective in sustained weight loss and improving quality of life. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of reluctance to have surgery among patients who were potential candidates for weight loss procedures. Method Morbidly obese people who were enrolled at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from December 2021 to August 2022 were included in the study. It included hospitalized as well as outpatient appointments. A questionnaire was adopted as the data collection tool. Result A total of 107 patients (58 men and 49 women) were enrolled in the study. The median age was 42. Of the 107 patients, 5% (n=5) of the patients were super morbidly obese (BMI >50kg/m2). Seventy-two percent (n=77) of the population considered themselves morbidly obese. Only 22% (n=24) were physically active. Twenty percent (n=21) of the patients reported that they have or are currently trying dietary modifications for weight loss. Young females were most likely to be on dieting programs. Importantly, 56% (n=60) had never heard of bariatric surgery. Exploring the reasons for reluctance among patients revealed that the concern for surgical mortality was the major hindrance. This was followed by being not interested in committing to surgery and recovery. Concerns regarding cost and financing were also the reasons candidates didn't opt for surgical procedures to treat obesity. Conclusion The study concluded that there is a serious lack of knowledge and awareness among physicians and the general public regarding bariatric surgery. Most of the patients who were potential candidates for the procedure weren't aware that obesity had a surgical and definitive treatment. Patients who were aware of the surgical procedure were hesitant to undergo surgery for the management of their weight as they harbored misconceptions, particularly regarding the safety and efficacy of the procedure.