2023
A qualitative analysis describing attrition from bariatric surgery to identify strategies for improving retention in patients who desire treatment
Chao G, Lindquist K, Vitous C, Tolentino D, Delaney L, Alimi Y, Jafri S, Telem D. A qualitative analysis describing attrition from bariatric surgery to identify strategies for improving retention in patients who desire treatment. Surgical Endoscopy 2023, 37: 6032-6043. PMID: 37103571, PMCID: PMC10136401, DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10030-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgeryBariatric surgery programFear of surgeryTheoretical Domains FrameworkSurgery programSerious chronic diseaseFuture theory-based interventionsNon-Hispanic whitesBackgroundAmong patientsResultsTwenty patientsTheory-based interventionChronic diseasesPatientsSurgeryClinical sitesConclusionsThis studyAnticipated regretTDF domainsDomains FrameworkIntervention designHealthy lifeSocial rolesDropout rateEnvironmental contextTreatment
2022
Variation in pre-operative insurance requirements for bariatric surgery
Gomez-Rexrode A, Chhabra K, Telem D, Chao G. Variation in pre-operative insurance requirements for bariatric surgery. Surgical Endoscopy 2022, 36: 8358-8363. PMID: 35513536, DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09293-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgeryInsurance typePoisson regressionInsurance plan typeBariatric surgery programLife-saving interventionsCross-sectional assessmentPlan typeBackgroundFor patientsSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeU.S. Census regionSurgery programMedicaid plansPatientsSurgeryWeight lossMedicaidNumber of monthsInsurance plansCommercial plansCensus regionGreater frequencyInsurance requirementsGreater numberLong-term comparative effectiveness of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on use of antireflux medication: a difference-in-differences analysis
Howard R, Yang J, Thumma J, Arterburn D, Ryan A, Chao G, Telem D, Dimick J. Long-term comparative effectiveness of gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on use of antireflux medication: a difference-in-differences analysis. Surgery For Obesity And Related Diseases 2022, 18: 1033-1041. PMID: 35649735, DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2022.04.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term comparative effectivenessGERD medication useCommon bariatric operationGastric bypassMedication useSleeve gastrectomyAntireflux medicationComparative effectivenessBariatric surgeryBariatric operationsAntireflux medication useInpatient bariatric surgeryLong-term effectivenessGastroesophageal refluxRetrospective studyNational cohortGastrectomyTreatment decisionsMedicare beneficiariesPatientsSurgeryBypassMedicationsGreater reductionDifferential changesFemale Patient Perceptions on Financial Incentives to Promote Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery
Ehlers A, Vitous C, Chao G, Stricklen A, Ross R, Kullgren J, Ghaferi A. Female Patient Perceptions on Financial Incentives to Promote Follow-Up After Bariatric Surgery. Journal Of Surgical Research 2022, 276: 195-202. PMID: 35366424, DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.02.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchComparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients giving birth after bariatric surgery: reinterventions and obstetric outcomes
Chao G, Yang J, Peahl A, Thumma J, Dimick J, Arterburn D, Telem D. Comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients giving birth after bariatric surgery: reinterventions and obstetric outcomes. Surgical Endoscopy 2022, 36: 6954-6968. PMID: 35099628, DOI: 10.1007/s00464-022-09063-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse obstetric outcomesGastric bypassObstetric outcomesBariatric surgerySleeve gastrectomyComparative effectivenessRisk of reinterventionLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomyRetrospective cohort studyMultivariable logistic regressionSignificant differencesCommon procedure todayResultsFrom 2011Reintervention rateBariatric proceduresCohort studyIBM MarketScanNational cohortInverse probability weightingGastrectomyReinterventionRouxSurgeryPatientsBypassQuestioning the legitimacy of bariatric surgery: a qualitative analysis of individuals from the community who qualify for bariatric surgery
Chao G, Diaz A, Ghaferi A, Dimick J, Byrnes M. Questioning the legitimacy of bariatric surgery: a qualitative analysis of individuals from the community who qualify for bariatric surgery. Surgical Endoscopy 2022, 36: 6733-6741. PMID: 34981224, PMCID: PMC8722749, DOI: 10.1007/s00464-021-08949-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgeryMedical treatmentWeight loss requirementsInterpretive description frameworkNIH criteriaMajority of participantsDurable therapySurgeryMajority of individualsHealthcare providersDiverse cohortDescriptive studyWeight lossFirst qualitative studyPacific IslandersTreatmentQualitative studyParticipantsDoctorsImportant contributorFinal themeIndividualsObesityPatientsMajor themes
2021
Financial Incentives to Improve Patient Follow-up and Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Chao G, Kullgren J, Ross R, Bonham A, Ghaferi A. Financial Incentives to Improve Patient Follow-up and Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery. Annals Of Surgery 2021, 277: e70-e77. PMID: 34171878, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExcess weight lossBariatric surgeryWeight lossSurgery datePercent excess weight lossPostoperative months 1Financial incentive programsBody mass indexGreater weight lossPostintervention patientsPractice patientsPostoperative appointmentsContemporary patientsMass indexMonths 1Control practicesHistoric patientsPatientsSurgeryControl groupHealth outcomesHistoric groupPrior visitMonthsSignificant differences
2020
Evidence-Based Medicine and Decision Making
Chao G, Dimick J. Evidence-Based Medicine and Decision Making. Difficult Decisions In Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach 2020, 5-14. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55329-6_2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBariatric Surgery in Medicare Patients
Chao G, Chhabra K, Yang J, Thumma J, Arterburn D, Ryan A, Telem D, Dimick J. Bariatric Surgery in Medicare Patients. Annals Of Surgery 2020, 276: 133-139. PMID: 33214440, PMCID: PMC8126578, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004526.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgeryED utilizationHealthcare utilizationClinical safety outcomesMedicare Evidence DevelopmentBariatric surgery patientsTreatment effectsGastric bypassSurgery patientsMedicare cohortBariatric outcomesMedicare patientsHernia repairMedicare claimsSafety outcomesMedicare beneficiariesComparative effectivenessBypassSurgeryInstrumental variable analysisEvidence developmentReinterventionRehospitalizationComplicationsPatientsComparative Safety of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass
Chhabra K, Telem D, Chao G, Arterburn D, Yang J, Thumma J, Ryan A, Blumenthal B, Dimick J. Comparative Safety of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass. Annals Of Surgery 2020, 275: 539-545. PMID: 33201113, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004297.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSleeve gastrectomyGastric bypassBariatric surgeryIBM MarketScanLarge cohortCommon bariatric operationBariatric surgery patientsSelection biasSuperior safety profileLong-term safetyOverall healthcare spendingGastroesophageal refluxSurgery patientsBariatric operationsSafety profileComparative safetyGastrectomyBACKGROUND DATAHigh riskInternational ClassificationPatientsSurgeryPayer decisionsBypassProcedural TerminologyConvergent Mixed Methods Exploration of Telehealth in Bariatric Surgery: Maximizing Provider Resources and Access
Chao GF, Ehlers AP, Ellimoottil C, Varban OA, Dimick JB, Telem DA. Convergent Mixed Methods Exploration of Telehealth in Bariatric Surgery: Maximizing Provider Resources and Access. Obesity Surgery 2020, 31: 1877-1881. PMID: 33111249, PMCID: PMC7591243, DOI: 10.1007/s11695-020-05059-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgery processBariatric surgery programHealthcare resource utilizationCare delivery modalitiesSelf-reported weightSurgery processSurgery visitsUS healthcare systemBariatric surgeryTelehealth visitsTelehealth useSurgery programTelehealth implementationShow ratesProvider perspectivesHealthcare systemTelehealthDelivery modalitiesPrior yearVisitsInsurance providersCoverage decisionsMixed methods explorationPatientsSurgery
2019
The Role of Commercial Health Insurance Characteristics in Bariatric Surgery Utilization
Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF, Dimick JB, Telem DA. The Role of Commercial Health Insurance Characteristics in Bariatric Surgery Utilization. Annals Of Surgery 2019, 273: 1150-1156. PMID: 31714318, DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003569.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInsurance plan typeBariatric surgery utilizationHigher cost sharingBariatric surgerySurgery utilizationBariatric operationsIBM MarketScan Commercial Claims DatabasesMarketScan Commercial Claims databasePlan typeCommercial claims databaseHealth insurance characteristicsRetrospective reviewClaims databaseEligible personsSurgical careSurgerySurgical utilizationMedical careExposure variablesInsurance characteristicsCost sharingInsurance coverageLower cost sharingCareQuarter 4Impact of Statewide Essential Health Benefits on Utilization of Bariatric Surgery
Chhabra KR, Fan Z, Chao GF, Dimick JB, Telem DA. Impact of Statewide Essential Health Benefits on Utilization of Bariatric Surgery. Obesity Surgery 2019, 30: 374-377. PMID: 31338734, PMCID: PMC6954295, DOI: 10.1007/s11695-019-04092-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBariatric surgery utilizationEssential health benefitsBariatric surgerySurgery utilizationHealth benefitsInadequate insurance coverageIBM MarketScanACA implementationHealth Benefits ProgramConclusionsOur findingsSurgeryBackgroundIn responseInsurance coverageInsurance plansPopulation levelBenefit programsMarketScan