[The way from cost approval to bariatric surgery : Analysis of resource utilization in a maximum care hospital].

Background: Morbid obesity is a medical and economic challenge. Patients who have the indications for bariatric surgery face a long way from the first visit until surgery and a high utilization of resources is required.

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate labor costs and labor time required to supervise obese patients from their first visit until preparation of a bariatric report to ask for cost acceptance of bariatric surgery from their health insurance.

Genetic modulation of the serotonergic pathway: influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance.

The serotonergic pathway plays a major role in the development of obesity. Its activity can be modulated by the 5-HT transporter-linked polymorphic region in the SLC6A4 gene and the upstream variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the MAOA gene. We studied whether these genetic modulations have an influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance in a one-year weight reduction program (OPTIFAST52).