[3] Patients with chronic kidney disease require special consideration
The Hidden Costs of NOT Losing Weight When evaluating whether medical weight loss is worth it, consider what obesity is already costing you: Direct Medical Costs Diabetes medications: $100-$400/month for insulin, Metformin, and related drugs Blood pressure medications: $20-$100/month Cholesterol medications: $15-$200/month Sleep apnea equipment (CPAP): $500-$1,000 upfront + $50-$100/month supplies Joint pain medications/treatments: Variable but significant Increased health insurance premiums: Obese individuals often pay $1,500+/year more in premiums Many patients find that losing weight through a medical weight loss program reduces or eliminates these medication costs, effectively making the program pay for itself
There was a time during my hospital gig as a PRN [an on-call nurse] when I would pick up a weekend shift every month and say, "This is my Zepbound money!" I've told my husband that if it came to it, I'd sell my car and drive him to work to get rid of the car and insurance payments so I could afford the medication
Eur J Cancer (2014) 50(1):20415
Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021, 177: 108904
