Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Objective: Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for morbid obesity. Postoperatively, patients should be followed up regularly. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery because of morbid obesity. Material and Methods: For the telephone survey, 157 patients aged 18–65 years who had bariatric surgery due to morbid obesity from 2015–2019 were con-tacted. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight gain in patients who underwent obesity surgery and the severity of the patients who had COVID-19 were investigated. The patients were evaluated nine months after the COVID-19 pandemic started. Results: During the pandemic, weight gain was recorded in 94 patients (59.9%). Eating behavior was enhanced in 80 (51%) patients in total, from which 69 (73.4%) patients were in the weight gain group (p<0.001). COVID-19 was found in 21 (13.3%) patients; no intensive care was needed, and no mortality due to COVID-19 occurred. Conclusions: It was observed that patients who had bariatric surgery during the pandemic chan-ged their diet and eating patterns, mostly resulting in weight gain. The follow-up of operated patients due to morbid obesity should not be interrupted during a pandemic like COVID-19.