Weight loss surgery was discovered by latest studies to be the solution for both obesity and Type 2 Diabetes medication. In addition, surgery would decrease costs, financially helping the health care system.
Obesity, namely morbid obesity – with a body mass index of over 40 -, is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, the most common of the four types of diabetes. The body of the patients diagnosed with this type of diabetes does not produce enough insulin or does not use it the proper way. In addition, the disease can be managed easier in the first phases, with exercise and diet, but later expensive medication is needed, as the pancreas “gets tired”.
Elimination of weight results in elimination of medication in the case of formerly obese persons in a high proportion – 74.7% of over 2,000 patients studied at one year and 84.5 % at two years after surgery -. This will consequently take to a decrease of health care costs and a release of the huge financial burden. The cost decreases are significant, as from the initial total cost of $6,376 per person, after one year the costs decrease by 34.25% or $2,179 and 70.5% or $4,498 after two years.
The results are impressive and the consequences could be the same, if implemented the right way. All the studies reveal the positive effects of bariatric surgery, and they could help type 2 diabetes and obese patients receive free insurance coverage for weight loss surgery.
