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DATA VAULT
Losing It
By Colin Stayton
Coverage Gap
Approximately 37% of employer-
s p o n s o r e d h e a l t h p l a n s c o v e r
bariatric surgery.
Adding Up the Benefits
One of the most compelling arguments
for bariatric surgery is its effect on Type
2 diabetes. An estimated 78% of patients
with the disease enjoy full remission fol-
lowing surgery, and 85% experience at
least some improvement. Bilio-pancreatic
diversion with duodenal switch seems to
produce the most improvement in Type
2 diabetes, with a remission rate of 95%.
Clinical studies have also found that the
rate of death from heart disease drops by
50% among bariatric surgery patients,
and one-third of extremely obese patients
are able to reduce or eliminate their blood
pressure medication. ■
Sources: American Society for Metabolic
and Bariatric Surgery, The Associated Press,
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,
University of Alabama at Birmingham
AS AMERICA'S
COLLECTIVE
WAISTLINE
CONTINUES TO
EXPAND, BARIATRIC
SURGERY REMAINS
AN OFTEN UNTAPPED
RESOURCE.
M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Greater Boston
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