Declining Bariatric Surgery Volumes and Shifting Practice Patterns: A Five-Year Analysis of Over One Million Procedures - Summary - MDSpire

Declining Bariatric Surgery Volumes and Shifting Practice Patterns: A Five-Year Analysis of Over One Million Procedures

  • By

  • Mélissa V. Wills

  • Xinlei Zhu

  • Doua Elamin

  • Ricard Corcelles

  • Matthew Kroh

  • Jerry Dang

  • Andrew Strong

  • Salvador Navarrete

  • Valentin Mocanu

  • July 15, 2026

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Objective:

To analyze trends in bariatric surgery practice patterns and outcomes from 2020 to 2024 using the MBSAQIP database.

Approach:
  • Study Design: A retrospective analysis of the MBSAQIP data registry was performed, capturing clinical data from 902 accredited American and Canadian metabolic and bariatric surgery centers.
  • Data Collection: Basic demographic data, patient comorbidities, operative characteristics, and outcome variables were collected and analyzed.
  • Statistical Analysis: Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were presented as means with standard deviations. Temporal trends were evaluated using chi-square tests and linear regression.
Key Findings:
  • The proportion of female patients undergoing bariatric procedures increased from 81.73% in 2020 to 82.48% in 2024.
  • The mean age of patients decreased from 44.17 years in 2020 to 43.55 years in 2024.
  • There was an increase in racial and ethnic diversity among patients, with the percentage of White patients decreasing from 67.38% in 2020 to 60.09% in 2024.
Interpretation:

The study presents data on changing demographics and trends in bariatric surgery over the five-year period.

Limitations:
  • The study relies on the MBSAQIP database, which may not include all bariatric surgeries performed outside accredited centers.
  • The retrospective nature of the analysis may introduce biases in the interpretation of the data.
Conclusion:

The findings indicate changes in patient demographics and procedural trends in bariatric surgery over the past five years.

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