A new analysis reveals that the cost of popular anti-obesity medications like liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy) can exceed the cost of weight-loss surgery in less than a year.
The research, published in Surgical Endoscopy, compared the cost of these weekly injections to two types of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Researchers from USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, FL, found that while these medications may be effective, bariatric surgery offers a more lasting solution for obesity and related health problems.
Over time, surgery saves money because it reduces the need for medications, clinic visits, and emergency room visits, as well as lowering overall mortality rates.
“Bariatric surgery not only helps with long-term weight loss but also offers significant savings in the long run,” the researchers noted.
“Surgery can lead to a dramatic decrease in the use of medications and a drop in healthcare costs overall.”
Dr. Ann M. Rogers, President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), explained that surgery is far more effective at helping patients lose weight and keep it off compared to medications or diet and exercise alone.
“Surgery leads to better health outcomes and cost savings,” she said.
“More patients should consider surgery, and insurance companies should make it easier for patients to access this treatment.”
In 2022, nearly 280,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the U.S., which is only about 1% of the people who qualify based on their body mass index (BMI).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40% of Americans are obese, and around 1 in 10 are severely obese.
This study highlights that while anti-obesity drugs can be costly over time, bariatric surgery offers a more cost-effective and long-lasting solution for those struggling with obesity.
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Source: KSR.
