One in six patients who undergo bariatric surgery later seek help from mental health services, an Australian study shows.

The findings call into question whether bariatric surgeons adequately assess patients’ psychological state, in line with guidelines, before proceeding with weight-loss surgery, the researchers say.

However, leading obesity specialist Professor John Dixon rejected this, saying surgeons were acutely aware of the prevalence of mental health problems in these patients.

“Australian bariatric surgeons don’t treat people with mental illness or who are unstable,” said Professor Dixon, from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.