BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: Mean BMI pre-surgery was 51.3 ± 8.4 kg/m2. BMI decreased significantly to 38.6 ± 6.8 kg/m2 at 1 year and to 37.9 ± 7.4 kg/m2 at 2 years after surgery. Statistical analyses revealed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and a significant improvement in selfesteem and the physical dimension of health-related quality of life. Pre-surgery, 40.5% (n = 62) of the patients suffered from depressive symptoms of clinical relevance. These depressive symptoms persisted in 17.7% (n = 27) 1 year and in 16.4% (n = 25) 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION