Weight Loss Surgery: A Study in Stigma and Deviance

Abstract

While weight loss surgery (WLS) is a valid option for morbidly obese individuals, willpower, as demonstrated through diet and exercise, is constructed as the only acceptable strategy for losing weight. I used a 40-question survey instrument and divided participants into pre-WLS and post-WLS groups to measure respondents' experiences with WLS stigma (n = 101). More specifically I examined perceived obesity stigma prior to WLS, perceived WLS stigma after making the decision to have surgery, and respondents' tendencies to hide WLS status. Results indicated: 1) strong evidence of obesity stigma prior to WLS experienced by respondents in both groups, 2) evidence of stigma imputed to WLS despite perceptions of higher levels of support by significant others in respondents' lives, and 3) evidence that WLS patients hide their surgery status from some people in an effort to manage the stigma associated with having surgery.