Abstract
Postoperation gastric bypass patients completed a 47-item nutrition-related quality of life (NQOL) survey. No correlation was found between percentage weight loss and scores for NQOL. However, significant differences in NQOL were found when participants were divided into 4 groups on the basis of time since surgery. Significantly lower NQOL scores were found in the group 19-36 months since surgery versus those who had more recently had surgery. To promote increased quality of life after laparoscopic gastric bypass, nutrition counseling should address the need for permanent changes in dietary intake and participation in a lifelong exercise program for long-term success with maintenance of weight loss. Patients should also be encouraged to seek the help of an eating disorder specialist if an eating disorder is present.