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Objective:
We wanted to investigate if a bariatric operation affected the dynamics of a relationship or the significant other’s health.
Design:
Survey Single Institution
Setting:
Bariatric clinic, Teaching Hospital
Patients:
Bariatric adults, at least 6 months after their surgery
Interventions:
None.
Main Outcome Measures:
Relationship and Health changes with significant other
Results:
80 patients completed survey, 63 patients having a significant other at the time of the operation. 68% had gastric banding, and 30% had gastric bypass. Patients lost an average of 79 pounds. 32.8% of patient’s relationship improved, 55.7% no change, and 11.5% percent worsened. 84% believed the surgery had a large impact on their relationship improvement. 63% of patient had a significant other that was enthusiastic about getting the operation, 18% were neutral, 6% were unsupportive. In the relationships that improved, the median weight loss was 101 pounds, versus 56.1 pounds in those those that didn't improve. This weight loss was statistically significant with p= 0.0065.

Relationship quality changes

Relationship quality	Improvement	No Change	Worsening	p-value
Communication	16.7	80	3.3	0.0474
Trust	4.9	85.2	9.8	0.2266
Argue	26.7	65	8.3	0.0089
Outside activities	28.3	65	6.7	0.0006
Physical intimacy frequency	20	76	3.6	0.0112
Satisfaction with sexual intimacy	33.9	65.2	3.6	<0.0001

Lifestyle changes of significant other

Lifestyle changes	Improvement (%)	No change (%)	Worsening (%)	p-value
Food choices	39.3	57.4	3.3	<0.0001
Fast food frequency	26.2%	72.1%	1.6%	<0.0001
Weight change	13.1%	85.2%	1.6%	0.0273
Exercise regimen	27.1%	62.7%	10.2%	0.0079

Conclusions:
One-third of patients had an improvement in the relationship. Couples argued less, spent more time together, and increased the frequency and satisfaction of physical intimacy. The more weight loss correlated to an improvement in relationships. The greatest change was an improvement in the spouses food choices. A spouse's bariatric surgery should be looked at as an opportunity to enhance their health and their relationship.