Aim:- This was a comparative cross-sectional study to assess a variety of psychosocial and motivational differences among obese individuals choosing bariatric surgery versus those choosing conservative weight-loss strategies.
Patients and Methods:- Obese patients were recruited from Suez Canal University Hospital grouped as 20 for the surgical group and 20 for conservative weight loss program, as well as 20 obese individuals with no treatment as the control group. All studied groups underwent the following assessments: sociodemographic data, BMI, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Big Five Personality inventory, eating behavior disorder using Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, and motivation to lose weight using Weight Loss Motivation Questionnaire. Results:- Obese patients choosing surgery were older, of high socioeconomic status, from urban area, and having significantly higher BMI in the surgical group compared with the nonsurgical group. The mean BMI was 46.7±11.18 in the surgical group versus 36.95±5.36 in the nonsurgical group. The surgical group was found to have social anxiety in 75% of cases compared with 35% of cases in the nonsurgical group, and just 15% in the control group. The surgical group was found to be much more significantly motivated to lose weight. Appearance to others was the most significant factor that motived them to lose weight. Conclusions:-  There are significant psychosocial and motivational differences between obese individuals choosing surgery and those choosing conservative weight loss strategies. These differences contribute in choosing the method of treating obesity regardless of obesity-related medical comorbidities.