Precertification criteria for bariatric surgery should be based on evidence

By 2030, one in two American adults is projected to have obesity and one in four clinically severe obesity. Obesity represents a serious public health issue because it is a major risk factor for many major, non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer, and independently predicts overall mortality. The burden of obesity on medical spending is also significant, with $1,861 excess annual medical costs per adult with obesity and $3,097 per adult with severe obesity – accounting for $173 billion annually in the United States.
Source: Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases - Category: Surgery Authors: Source Type: research