Evaluating the economic impact of bariatric surgery: A multi-year comparative analysis - 18/10/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116665

Kate V. Lauer ^a, Dawda Jawara ^a, Lily N. Stalter ^a, Bret M. Hanlon ^a,^b, Matthew R. Lemahieu ^a, Luke M. Funk ^a,^c,^⁎
^a Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA
^b Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, 610 Walnut St, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
^c Department of Surgery, William S. Middleton Memorial VA, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

^⁎Corresponding author. UW- Madison 600 Highland Ave H4/728 Clinical Science Center Madison, WI, 53792-7375, USA.UW- Madison 600 Highland Ave H4/728 Clinical Science CenterMadisonWI53792-7375USA

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Saturday 18 October 2025

Abstract

Introduction

Bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss and improvement of obesity-related comorbidities, but data regarding its cost impact are mixed. We compared healthcare costs for bariatric surgery patients and non-operative controls through four years after surgery.

Methods

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery in 2018–2019 were matched 1:5 with controls who met criteria for bariatric surgery but were medically managed. Post-operative costs were compared by year after surgery and healthcare setting.

Results

Bariatric surgery patients (n = 37) had higher mean total costs years 1–4 after surgery compared to non-operative controls (n = 185) [$26,805(SD $47,039) vs. $14,547($30,170); p < 0.001]. The largest differences occurred in the outpatient setting [$16,935($19,807) vs. $8972($14,690); p < 0.0001] and during the first year after surgery [$12,616($36,422) vs. $3355($9367); p < 0.0001].

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery patients had higher post-operative costs through four years after surgery compared to non-operative controls, primarily due to higher costs within the first year after surgery and increased outpatient costs.

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Highlights

•	Bariatric surgery patients have higher healthcare costs at four years after surgery.
•	The largest difference in total cost is within the first year after surgery.
•	Outpatient costs are higher for bariatric surgery patients compared to controls.
•	A higher proportion of bariatric surgery patients have annual outpatient visits.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Individuals with obesity, Bariatric surgery, Healthcare costs