A new study published in the journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases concluded that the cost of Gastric Banding weight loss surgery was cost effective in roughly two years post-op by reductions in obesity-related medical costs in those with a history of Diabetes and in roughly four years post-op in those patients without Diabetes. Currently, obesity costs the U.S. roughly $70 billion a year. The nation’s total medical bill as a result of obesity is currently estimated at $147 billion a year and represents about 10% of all medical expenses in the U.S. That 10% is estimated to increase to 16-18% of all U.S. healthcare costs in the next 20 years.