Study on Impact of Lifestyle Change and Weight Loss Before Bariatric Surgery

This is a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a preoperative lifestyle
intervention that targets diet, exercise, and preparation for surgery as an adjunct to the
surgical treatment of obesity. Patients will be randomized to a 6-month lifestyle
intervention (n = 100) or to usual care (n = 100) prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. We
aim to evaluate the effect of the intervention on select pre- and postoperative outcomes. We
hypothesize that patients who participate in the preoperative intervention will exhibit
greater improvements in weight and related outcomes and better preparation for surgery than
those who receive usual care. After operation, we hypothesize that patients who participate
in the intervention will exhibit better compliance and fewer behavior-related eating
problems, as well as a lower rate of complications and fewer outpatient visits with
surgery-related conditions than those who received usual preoperative care. Our secondary
aim is to determine whether the intervention affects weight/BMI trajectory through 24 months
after operation.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Any candidate for weight loss surgery who is at least 18 years old [At the University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center, bariatric surgery is recommended as a treatment for
individuals with Class III obesity (BMI > 40), or Class II obesity (BMI 35- 40) and
serious obesity-related health problems]

Exclusion Criteria:

- Mental retardation or psychosis

- Previously diagnosed genetic obesity syndrome

- Participation in a structured weight management program in the 6 months prior to
study enrollment

- Uncontrolled psychiatric symptomatology sufficiently severe to require immediate
treatment

- Pregnant or lactating in the previous 6 months

- Taking a medication known to affect body weight such as oral steroids in the previous
6 months

- Any previous surgery for weight loss

- Deemed high risk surgical candidate.