Obesity surgery is called cost-effective

The cost of the most common type of weight-loss surgery is offset within two to four years by medical cost savings, according to a new study. Some insurance plans specifically exclude weight-loss surgery, and the findings may increase pressure on health-insurance companies to cover gastric bypass surgery. The analysis covered six months of presurgical evaluation and care, the surgery itself and, on average, about 18 months of postsurgical care.