Assessing Real World Effect of Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery on Healthcare Costs- a Retrospective Matched Cohort Study using a U.S. Administrative Claims Database

Methods: Patient’s ≥18 years of age who had laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January 2006 and December 2013were identified from the optum clinformatics administrative claims database. Patients who were identified as having had Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB), Gastric Bypass (LRYGB), or Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG), were matched to medically-managed patients (controls) based on age, sex, obesity category, insurance type, obesity-related co morbidities, and baseline average monthly healthcare cost. Medication costs for treatment of selected obesityrelated co morbidities (type 2 diabetes [T2DM], dyslipidemia, and hypertension), (non-medication) medical costs, and the combination of these costs (combined treatment costs) were measured for every 6 months up to 5 years after the surgery or an assigned index date for controls (followup). Healthcare costs were compared between the surgical and control cohorts using mixed models for repeated measurements.