Weight-loss surgery can drastically change your health, but it may also alter your relationship status, according to a new report.
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Researchers from health institutions in Sweden recently conducted a study, published in JAMA Surgery, to examine how the operation may affect romantic relationships.
To do so, they analyzed two major studies. The first included 2,000 people and 71 percent of them were women who had undergone bariatric surgery. The second one included 30,000 adults and 76 percent of them were women who had undergone gastric bypass surgery.
After assessing the data, they found that single participants who had bariatric surgery were more likely to get married or start a new relationship. However, bariatric surgery patients already in relationships had an increased chance of divorce or separation.
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"We have previously studied the medical benefits of bariatric surgery, but this new study shows that other more personal aspects of the patient's life may also change after bariatric surgery," coauthor Per-Arne Svensson said in a statement.
While researchers are unsure of the cause, they believe the new lifestyle adopted after the operation can cause couples to drift apart in some cases. On the other hand, it may also help individuals gain self-confidence, empowering them to leave unhealthy unions.
“It is, however, important to emphasize that bariatric surgery does not automatically lead to a dysfunctional relationship,” Svensson noted. “Previous studies have shown that most relationships are strengthened or are unchanged. This is also supported by our study showing that the majority of individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery remain in the same relationship, many years after the surgery.”
The scientists now hope to further their investigations to better understand the factors that may contribute to relationship breakdowns post weight-loss surgery.
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