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Bariatric Surgery Trends
Bariatric surgery trends have been going up steadily in last 10 years. In fact, the amount of bariatric operations jumped 9-fold (from 13,386 to 121,055.2) from 1998 to 2004 alone according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The numbers are astonding and the trends going upwards are not changing. The population in the United States is only getting older and fatter as the years go by. At the moment, the only thing that may slow the rate down is the economy putting people out of work.
Bariatric Surgery Trends in Types of Surgery
Mid-way through this decade, about 2005, studies showed that there was a bariatric trend that started taking most bariatric surgeons away from traditional, and more invasive, gastric bypass operations that require open cuts to minimally invasive laparoscopic (minimally invasive surgery (MIS), bandaid, keyhole, or pinhole) surgical procedures. In fact, research shows that over 70 percent of the bariatric operations done in 2005 were laparoscopic. Another bariatric trend that interestingly can be clearly seen is that the laparoscopic procedures were associated with fewer in-hospital complications than traditional gastric bypass.
BEWARE: Hospitals Are Not All The Same In Terms of Bariatric Success Trends
In the study from above, bariatric hospitals were rated from one to five star for quality of patient care. Out of 481 hospitals that were rated, 109 (22.7%) received a 5-star (best) rating; 257 (53.4%) a 3-star (average) rating; & 115 (23.9%) a 1-star (worst) rating. Bariatric patients in a 5-star rated hospital had a 64 percent lower chance of having major inhospital complications related to surgery as opposed to a 1-star rated hospital. So potential bariatric patients need to check out whatever hospital they plan to use.
Chronic Disease Trends
When most those who think about a medical condition that is correlated to obesity they first suggest of diabetes and heart disease. Both of these medical conditions have shown marked improvement for numerous bariatric patients after gastric bypass and gastric banding surgeries.
Bariatric Surgery Price Trends
The price tag of weight loss surgery can vary widely, so it depends on where you wish to have your operation and who will take care of you. But as a balpark figure, you can expect the average cost for bariatric surgery to range from $18,000 to $22,000 but are trending up to $25K in some areas of the country. No kidding folks, this is not cheap surgery. The fees take into account hospital fees, surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, lab, x-ray fees, and other miscellaneous fees. Also keep in mind that you may want cosmetic surgery for the excess skin.
What These Trends Mean To You
The risks of undergoing weight loss surgery need to be fully researched and understood before any judgment to undergo bariatric surgery is made and the starting place should be to discuss the possibility with your doctor. When dramatic weight loss is successful, obesity-related problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes improve, but if a person regains weight, these benefits are lost.
With most of us as a rule so unwilling to go under the knife, what’s influenting the popularity of bariatric procedures? The main benefits are that offer a very high return.Keep in mind: There are no guarantees for any manner of weight loss, including surgery, to produce and sustain weight loss. Winning the battle of the bulge is workable only with a dedication to changing your lifestyle and medical follow-up—and this cooperation and commitment must be carried out for the rest of your life.
References:
Zhao, Y. (Social and Scientific Systems, Inc.), and Encinosa, W. (AHRQ). Bariatric Surgery Utilization and Outcomes in 1998 and 2004. Statistical Brief #23. Janaury 2007. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,Rockville, Md. http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb23.pdf
