The amount of bariatric surgery performed in the U.S. has plateaued in recent years, due to factors such as the recession, according to an American Medical News report.
After decades of slow growth since the first procedure was performed in 1954, rates jumped rapidly in the first few years of the 2000s. A total of 36,700 bariatric surgeries were performed in 2000, a number that jumped 29 percent to 47,200 in 2001 and again to 63,100 in 2002.
Bariatric surgery growth rates started to slow significantly in 2006, when 177,600 surgeries were performed, an increase of only 4 percent from the previous year. By 2008, the number hit 220,000 and remained at that level until 2009. Experts believe the recession from Dec. 2007 to June 2009 left patients deferring or delaying many elective procedures.
According to the report, hospitals across the country have reported declines in the surgery over the past five years.
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After decades of slow growth since the first procedure was performed in 1954, rates jumped rapidly in the first few years of the 2000s. A total of 36,700 bariatric surgeries were performed in 2000, a number that jumped 29 percent to 47,200 in 2001 and again to 63,100 in 2002.
Bariatric surgery growth rates started to slow significantly in 2006, when 177,600 surgeries were performed, an increase of only 4 percent from the previous year. By 2008, the number hit 220,000 and remained at that level until 2009. Experts believe the recession from Dec. 2007 to June 2009 left patients deferring or delaying many elective procedures.
According to the report, hospitals across the country have reported declines in the surgery over the past five years.
Related Articles on GI/Endoscopy:
Operating Room Device to Know: First Step Flexible Endoscope Bedside Pre-Clean Kits
Study: New GI and Other Cancer Treatment Possibly Identified