Annals of surgery
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To compare expenditures between surgical and matched nonsurgical patients in a retrospective cohort study. ⋯ Bariatric surgery translated into lower medication expenditures than matched controls, but not lower overall long-term expenditures. Expenditure trends appear similar for the two leading bariatric operations.
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To understand professional norms regarding the value of surgery. ⋯ Professional judgment about the value of surgery exists along a continuum. While there is less variation in judgment for cases that are highly beneficial, consensus can be improved by exposure to the assessments of peers.