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Background: Morbid obesity is associated with defaecatory disorders (DDs) such as faecal incontinence and constipation. However data on their prevalence as well as effectiveness of bariatric surgery on their correction is scant. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the effect morbid obesity on DDs in a cohort of patients waiting for bariatric surgery. We also evaluated preliminar results of the effects of bariatric surgery on these disorders in a subgroup of patients who already underwent surgery. Patients and methods: a questionnaire-based study was proposed to 143 morbidly obese patients attending bariatric surgery. Data included demographics, past medical, surgical and obstetrics histories, as well as obesity related co-morbidities. Wexner Constipation Score (WCS) and the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) questionnaires were used to evaluate and constipation incontinence. For the purpose of this study we considered abnormal a WS ≥5 and a FISI score ≥10. Same questionnaires were completed after bariatric surgery at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Results: A total of 114 patients accepted the study since March 2010, 72 F, 42 M, mean age of 43 years (range 17-73). Mean BMI before surgery was 46±8 kg/h2 (range 35-67 kg/h2). Mean WS was 4.2±4 (range 0-17) while mean FISI score was 9.0±8 (range 0-38). Overall 61 % of the patients reported DDs according to our scores. Twenty-six patients (23%) had WS ≥ 5, 27 patients (24 %) a FISI ≥ 10, while 17 patients (15 %) reported combined abnormal scores. These percentages correlates with BMI ranging from 47% with BMI ≤40 kg/h2 to 62 % with BMI ≥50 kg/h2. Forty-four patients underwent surgery with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. Mean BMI decreased significantly from 46 kg/h2 to 38±8.5 kg/h2 and to 35±9 kg/h2 respectively at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Accordingly to the BMI decrease, WS improved, but significantly, from 4.2 to 3.9±5.2 (NS) at 3 months and to 3.1±4.1 (NS) at 6 months after surgery. Similarly, the FISI score improved from 9.0 to 2.7±5.5 after 3 months (NS) and to 0.3±1.1 after 6 months (p=.006). Conclusions: defaecatory disorders are more frequent in morbidly obese patients compared to the general population. The risk of DDs increases with BMI. Bariatric surgery reduces DDs, mainly faecal incontinence, and these findings correlated with BMI reduction.