Archive > Minimally Invasive Surgery 2006

How to Start a Bariatric Program

You'll be met by the exuberance of patients willing to do anything to conquer their obesity and the reluctance of health plans willing to do anything to avoid having to cover the $25,000 average cost of surgery.

Dan O'Connor, Editor-in-Chief

Patients and their insurers spent $4.3 billion last year for 171,000 bariatric surgeries at an average of $25,000 each, says the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. When you look at those numbers, it might be tempting to think you can rush in and begin hosting bariatric procedures. But the experts we talked to say weight-loss is a program you launch, not a surgery you add, an all-consuming endeavor that requires institution-wide backing and unwavering commitment.

 
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