Post-Bariatric Transformations: The Relationship Between Bariatric Surgery and Alcoholism

Introduction: Obesity has become a growing public health problem, and bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for weight loss and remission of comorbidities in cases of severe obesity.However, there is growing concern about the increased risk of developing alcohol use disorders among patients undergoing these procedures.The relationship between bariatric surgery and alcoholism is complex, involving metabolic and psychological changes that can increase susceptibility to alcoholism.This article reviews the incidence, risk factors and clinical implications of alcohol use after bariatric surgery, highlighting the importance of post-operative monitoring to improve longterm results and quality of life for patients.Method: This study uses a bibliographic review with 23 sources of information, consulted in databases such as Pubmed, Scielo, VHL and NCBI, using keywords such as "obesity", "bariatric surgery", "behavioral disorders", "anxiety" and " alcoholism." After selecting the material, there was a detailed analysis of the texts, review by all authors and consensus on the selection.The selected works, published between 2012 and 2024.Discussion: The relationship between bariatric surgery and the increased risk of post-surgical alcoholism is complex and multifactorial.Psychiatric factors, such as depression and anxiety, along with neurobiological and metabolic changes, may contribute to this phenomenon.Different types of bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, are associated with anatomical and metabolic changes that may increase susceptibility to alcohol.Early psychological and metabolic monitoring can play a crucial role in preventing and managing postsurgical alcoholism.These findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary and preventive approach in the care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.