The Financial Benefits of Losing Weight

If you’re considering bariatric surgery, you likely already know how losing weight can improve your life. Lower health risks, decreased joint pain, and better heart health are all included in the benefits of losing weight. However, one advantage that’s often overlooked is how losing weight can benefit your finances. 

Decreased Healthcare Costs

You already know being overweight or obese contributes to an increased risk of serious health conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancer
• Osteoarthritis 

A lower risk for health complications can only mean good things for your financial savings, as it means a lower risk for hospital visits, ambulance rides, and other expensive medical care.

For patients with type 2 diabetes, studies have found that losing significant weight can lead to remission. Losing weight can also improve obstructive sleep apnea, decrease high blood pressure, and improve your cholesterol levels. If you are currently paying for medication to treat one or more obesity-related conditions, losing weight may allow you to cut the cost of medication out of your life.

Decreased Cost of Eating Out

Regularly eating out may not be a part of your lifestyle—but if it is, losing weight can help you save money in that area. To lose weight, it’s not necessary to completely cut out fast food or your favorite restaurant dishes. You can still treat yourself occasionally, but you will need to be more conscious of what you’re eating. As you advance in your weight-loss journey, you’ll likely do more at-home cooking than ordering in or eating out, saving you money. 

Cooking at home also allows you to make healthier choices. You can ensure the ingredients you’re using are fresh and nutrient-dense, and you can make substitutions to improve your health.

Decreased Transportation Costs 

A study by George Washington University found that there are numerous costs involved with being both overweight and obese in the United States. Even something like the fuel economy of your vehicle can be affected by your weight. The heavier a car is, the more gas it takes to move it. The study backs this up, showing morbidly obese people pay more annually for gas, with an incremental difference of up to $36.

While many jobs offer remote or hybrid opportunities that could prevent this cost from compounding, remember that modern “fat taxes” have been expanded. Many companies now charge higher prices for extra seats on airplanes or concert venues, further increasing the cost of being overweight. 

If losing weight through traditional means of diet and exercise hasn’t worked for you, bariatric surgery may be the solution. At Wellstar Bariatrics, we go the extra mile to help our patients achieve their weight-loss goals. We’d love to hear from you—contact our office today to learn if bariatric surgery is right for you.