Long wait times for bariatric surgery: the challenge of standardized and efficient preoperative assessments

Abstract

Obesity prevalence has been rising considerably in the United States and worldwide over recent decades. Although bariatric surgery has well proven its benefits, only a minor proportion of eligible patients undergo surgery. Attrition and low adherence to weight loss programs play a major role in the underutilization of bariatric surgery. We have recently reported alarming attrition rates for patients seeking surgery, especially among minorities [1]. We hypothesize that long wait times for surgery may be related to such attrition.