Bariatric Surgery Saves Money for Diabetic Patients
Despite the nearly $30,000 price tag, a new study found that bariatric surgery saved money in the long run for the majority of people with diabetes. The cost savings resulted from a reduction in the use of diabetes medications and overall health care costs. According to study results, nearly 75% of diabetic patients were off [...]
Read the full article →Volume Trumps Center of Excellence Designation For Bariatric Surgery Safety
The results from a study led by the University of Michigan Health System revealed some shocking information about the safety of bariatric surgery and the quality of hospitals that perform the weight loss procedures. The good news was the overall low rate of serious complications and general safety of bariatric surgery. What was surprising, however, [...]
Read the full article →Medical Weight Loss Programs Unnecessarily Delay Bariatric Surgery
While it is not uncommon for insurance carriers to require completion of a six-month medically supervised weight loss program as a condition of approval for weight loss surgery, it may be time for them to reconsider the waiting period requirement. A medical weight management program typically combines diet, exercise, behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy. The rationale [...]
Read the full article →Bariatric Surgery Insurance Denials Pose Additional Patient Risks
Patients who were medically eligible for bariatric surgery but denied coverage by their health insurance were highly likely to develop obesity comorbidities within a few years even though their body mass index (BMI) remained relatively unchanged, according to a study recently presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric [...]
Read the full article →A Family Affair Improves Weight Loss Surgery Results
A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has found that weight loss surgery is more successful when done with a family member. The researchers followed 91 patients from 41 families who had gastric bypass surgery with a family member (husband and wife, parent and child, [...]
Read the full article →Study Finds Bariatric Surgery Disparities Among US Hospitals
The number of bariatric surgeries performed every year continues to rise, as more and more Americans decide they are willing to undergo drastic measures to control obesity and improve health. Based on the popularity of bariatric surgery, it is apparent that many individuals are willing to accept the potential risks in order to gain the [...]
Read the full article →Study Reveals Complications and Benefits of Revisional Bariatric Surgery
Revisional bariatric surgery is risky but potentially beneficial for most patients, according to a recent study published in the February issue of JAMA’s Archives of Surgery. Researchers found that although complications are likely to occur, most patients ended up with overall positive outcomes after revisional bariatric surgery. The purpose of the study was to evaluate [...]
Read the full article →Diabetes Surgery Summit Recommends Lower BMI for Bariatric Surgery
In a unique collaboration, an international group of scientific and medical experts have teamed up to evaluate the appropriate use of bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The conference, known as the Diabetes Surgery Summit, was held to review the evidence and develop guidelines for this new field of medicine. Their consensus [...]
Read the full article →REALIZE Band Study Recruiting Volunteers
A clinical trial sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery is now recruiting participants for a 5 year post-approval study with the REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band. The Realize Band is a medical device used in the treatment of morbid obesity. It is one of only two gastric banding systems that have been approved for use in the United [...]
Read the full article →Bariatric Surgery Volume Affects Patient Outcomes
Bariatric surgery volume is an important indicator of patient outcomes, according to a multi-year, multi-state study conducted by Health Grades, an independent healthcare ratings organization. The full study results, which were released last week in HealthGrades Fourth Annual Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study, identifies the best performing hospitals, including a comparison of complication [...]
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