I don't know the statistics overall, but in my case the comparison of the inguinal hernia repair is even more damning: I'm positive it was more costly, but to add insult to injury, it (my hernia repair) was done as an outpatient procedure.
Although I am not a doctor (just a patient), if anyone tries to pitch you this as a good idea, run. The effective recovery time was insane, and not to mention the pain/temporary disability (also insane). An inpatient stay wasn't even offered, but in hindsight it shouldn't have even been optional.
By contrast, an unrelated abdominal surgery a few years later, despite being a much more involved procedure, had a much faster recovery. (10 day inpatient stay + probably 5 days of that with some physical therapy.)
Health care costs are a secondary issue to me, right behind health care quality. Unfortunately, I don't think either can be fixed unless they are entirely divorced from each other.
Although I am not a doctor (just a patient), if anyone tries to pitch you this as a good idea, run. The effective recovery time was insane, and not to mention the pain/temporary disability (also insane). An inpatient stay wasn't even offered, but in hindsight it shouldn't have even been optional.
By contrast, an unrelated abdominal surgery a few years later, despite being a much more involved procedure, had a much faster recovery. (10 day inpatient stay + probably 5 days of that with some physical therapy.)
Health care costs are a secondary issue to me, right behind health care quality. Unfortunately, I don't think either can be fixed unless they are entirely divorced from each other.