Balancing healthy choices after bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery: The Long-Term Impact on Eating Habits and Weight

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A 7-year study reveals how bariatric surgery affects eating behaviors, weight management, and overall quality of life."

Obesity is a growing global health concern, demanding effective and long-term treatment strategies. Bariatric surgery has emerged as a powerful intervention, offering significant and lasting weight reduction and improvements in associated health risks. However, the journey doesn't end in the operating room.

The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) study highlights the importance of understanding the various weight loss patterns that emerge after bariatric surgery. Identifying the factors that contribute to suboptimal outcomes is crucial for improving patient care and ensuring the long-term success of these procedures.

A critical piece of the puzzle lies in understanding eating behaviors. Problematic eating patterns, such as uncontrolled eating, binge eating, and loss of control (LOC) eating, are common before bariatric surgery and can significantly impact post-operative outcomes. This article delves into a 7-year study that explores the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on eating pathology, weight management, and overall quality of life.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Change Eating Behaviors?

Balancing healthy choices after bariatric surgery.

The study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, followed 184 participants who underwent either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Researchers assessed participants' eating behaviors and quality of life using the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before surgery and annually for seven years.

The results revealed significant improvements in eating behaviors following bariatric surgery, particularly with RYGB. The prevalence of:

Loss of control (LOC) eating decreased from 16.2% before surgery to 5.4% after seven years.
Picking/nibbling declined from 32.4% to 7.0%.
Cravings decreased from 33.6% to 19.4%.

LAGB showed similar benefits, with a significant reduction in picking/nibbling. Both procedures led to lower EDE-BSV global scores and reduced feelings of hunger and enjoyment of eating. These findings suggest that bariatric surgery can positively influence eating behaviors and experiences, contributing to better long-term outcomes.

What's the Key Takeaway?

This study underscores the importance of addressing eating pathology in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. While the procedures offer significant improvements in eating behaviors and weight management, individuals with persistent LOC eating or higher EDE-BSV global scores may be at risk for suboptimal long-term outcomes. Integrating psychological support and targeted interventions to address these issues can significantly improve the chances of sustained success after bariatric surgery.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/eat.22979, Alternate LINK

Title: Eating Pathology And Associations With Long-Term Changes In Weight And Quality Of Life In The Longitudinal Assessment Of Bariatric Surgery Study

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: International Journal of Eating Disorders

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Michael J. Devlin, Wendy C. King, Melissa A. Kalarchian, Amanda Hinerman, Marsha D. Marcus, Susan Z. Yanovski, James E. Mitchell

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does bariatric surgery change a person's eating habits?

Bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), changes eating behaviors by reducing problematic patterns. A Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) study shows a decrease in loss of control (LOC) eating, picking/nibbling, and cravings after these procedures. It also lowers the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) global scores, which measure the severity of eating disorder-related symptoms and feelings of hunger, ultimately impacting long-term weight management.

Why is it important to address eating pathology in people who have had bariatric surgery?

The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2) study indicates that addressing eating pathology is essential because individuals with persistent loss of control (LOC) eating or higher Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) global scores may face suboptimal long-term outcomes after bariatric surgery. Integrating psychological support and targeted interventions can significantly improve the chances of sustained success. Without addressing these issues, patients may struggle to maintain weight loss and improve their overall quality of life.

What are the differences in eating behavior changes between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) both lead to weight loss, but Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has a more pronounced effect on eating behaviors. The LABS-2 study observed more significant improvements in reducing loss of control (LOC) eating with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) compared to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Both procedures lower the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) global scores and reduce problematic eating habits.

What does the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) measure?

The Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV) assesses eating behaviors and the severity of eating disorder-related symptoms in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. It measures aspects such as loss of control (LOC) eating, feelings of hunger, and enjoyment of eating. Lower EDE-BSV global scores indicate improved eating behaviors and a reduced risk of suboptimal outcomes following bariatric surgery, making it a key tool in evaluating the success of the intervention.

What are loss of control (LOC) eating, picking/nibbling and cravings and why are they important in the context of bariatric surgery?

Loss of control (LOC) eating, picking/nibbling, and cravings are problematic eating behaviors that can negatively impact the success of bariatric surgery. These behaviors are assessed using tools like the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV). Reducing these behaviors through interventions such as psychological support and addressing eating pathology is critical for ensuring long-term weight management and improved quality of life after procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).