Understanding the long-term costs and benefits of bariatric surgery for obesity

Long-term Costs and Return on Investment for Bariatric Surgery

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10597046

This study looks at how bariatric surgery, the best option for treating severe obesity, affects costs over time and how it can improve health issues like type 2 diabetes, while also exploring what stops people from getting the surgery, so we can help more folks get the coverage they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10597046 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the economic impact of bariatric surgery, which is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. It aims to analyze the long-term costs associated with the surgery and its return on investment, particularly in relation to improvements in health conditions like type 2 diabetes. The study will explore barriers to surgery uptake, including patient and physician attitudes, insurance coverage, and the financial implications of complications. By gathering and analyzing data, the research seeks to provide evidence that could encourage broader insurance coverage for bariatric procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are eligible for bariatric surgery due to severe obesity.

Not a fit: Patients who are not eligible for bariatric surgery or those who do not have severe obesity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased access to bariatric surgery for eligible patients, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that bariatric surgery is effective in improving health outcomes for obesity-related conditions, indicating that this approach has a solid foundation of evidence.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes MellitusAdult-Onset Diabetes MellitusKetosis-Resistant Diabetes MellitusMaturity-Onset Diabetes MellitusNon-Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.