Science Quickly This Surgery Can Lead to Weight Loss—But Stigma Is Harder to Shake Off
Jul 14, 2025
Larissa McGarrity, a clinical associate professor and lead psychologist at the University of Utah's Weight Management Program, discusses the complexities surrounding bariatric surgery and weight stigma. She reveals how more than half a million people undergo this weight loss procedure annually, yet many face ongoing stigma that negatively impacts their recovery. The conversation emphasizes the psychological effects of weight stigma, how it complicates recovery, and the urgent need for a weight-neutral approach in healthcare to promote better overall health outcomes.
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Weight Stigma Persists Post-Surgery
- Weight stigma often persists for bariatric surgery patients even years after significant weight loss.
- About 42% still face stigma which impacts their mental health, despite physical improvements.
Stigma Beyond Weight Loss
- Bariatric surgery rarely brings patients into a "normal" BMI range, so societal stigma remains.
- Internalized negative body image also continues, affecting mental health despite weight loss.
How Weight Stigma Harms Health
- Weight stigma causes chronic stress, worsens health behaviors, and leads to social disconnection.
- These factors increase risk for poor mental and physical health and avoidance of healthcare.