As an owner of a bariatric and obesity practice in Oklahoma, you are positioned in a unique, high-demand market. With the state ranking third nationally for obesity, the need for your services is clear and growing. Capitalizing on this demand during a sale requires careful strategy. This guide offers insights into the market, valuation, and process to help you prepare for a successful transition.
Market Overview
The market for bariatric and obesity practices in Oklahoma is defined by a deep and sustained patient need. This environment creates a compelling narrative for potential buyers, but understanding the specific drivers is key. Your practice is not just a healthcare facility. It is a vital solution in a state facing a significant public health challenge.
Un undeniable Patient Demand
The numbers speak for themselves. Oklahoma has one of the highest adult obesity rates in the nation, climbing to third place in 2023. Nearly 40% of the adult population has a BMI over 30. This is not a temporary trend but a long-term condition that ensures a steady stream of patients seeking both surgical and medical weight management solutions for years to come. For buyers, this translates directly to revenue stability and growth potential.
A Lucrative and Needed Service
Because of this high demand, bariatric and weight management services are considered a lucrative and necessary service line within the state’s healthcare system. Acquirers, from regional health systems to private equity groups, recognize that a well-run bariatric practice is a strategic asset. They are looking for established practices with strong community reputations and proven patient outcomes.
Key Considerations
Beyond the strong market demand, specific factors within the bariatric field will heavily influence your sale. The most talked-about issue today is the rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Many practice owners worry this will decrease demand for surgery. Buyers will certainly ask about it.
However, this can also be an opportunity. Practices that have already integrated medical weight management, including GLP-1s, alongside their surgical offerings are viewed as more resilient and comprehensive. Framing your practice as a complete obesity treatment center, rather than just a surgical suite, is a powerful strategy. It shows you are adaptable. It also widens your patient base. Proving you have a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, dieticians, and specialists further increases your practice’s value and defensibility in the eyes of a sophisticated buyer.
Understand how to position your practice for maximum valuation.
Market Activity
While the demand for services is high, data on the sale of bariatric practices in Oklahoma is hard to find. These transactions are almost always private. They are not listed on public websites. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to know what your practice is worth or who is actively buying.
This is why the approach you take to selling matters so much. A managed M&A process is designed to overcome this information gap. It confidentially identifies and approaches a curated list of qualified buyers. This creates a competitive environment where multiple parties are interested in your practice, leading to better terms and higher valuations. The difference between a public listing and a private, managed process is significant.
| Feature | Standard Listing (e.g., BizBuySell) | Managed M&A Process |
|---|---|---|
| Confidentiality | Low. Publicly visible. | High. Protected by NDAs. |
| Buyer Pool | Limited to who sees the ad. | Curated list of strategic buyers. |
| Competition | Minimal. Often one-off offers. | High. Creates bidding tension. |
| Valuation | Based on seller’s asking price. | Driven by market competition. |
| Your Involvement | High. You field all inquiries. | Low. We manage the entire process. |
Sale Process
Selling your practice is a marathon, not a sprint. We find the ideal time to begin preparing is two to three years before you plan to exit. This allows you to get your financials in order, strengthen operations, and build a compelling growth story that buyers will pay a premium for.
The process generally starts with a professional valuation to set a realistic baseline. Next, we prepare marketing materials that tell your practice’s story and highlight its strengths. We then confidentially approach a targeted list of potential buyers. The most critical stage is often due diligence. This is where the buyer inspects every aspect of your business, from your financial records to your compliance protocols. Being thoroughly prepared for this step is what separates a smooth closing from a failed deal. The final stage involves negotiating the definitive agreements and planning for a smooth transition.
Preparing properly for buyer due diligence can prevent unexpected issues.
Valuation
How is a bariatric practice in Oklahoma actually valued? Most owners think of revenue, but sophisticated buyers focus on a metric called Adjusted EBITDA. This stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. It is then “adjusted” to remove any personal or one-time expenses to show the true, ongoing profitability of the practice.
This Adjusted EBITDA figure is then multiplied by a certain number (a multiple) to reach your practice’s total value. That multiple is not random. It is influenced by several key factors.
Here are 4 things that determine your valuation multiple:
1. Provider Model. Practices that do not rely solely on the owner generate higher multiples. Having associate surgeons or a strong PA/NP team reduces the buyer’s risk.
2. Service Mix. A practice offering a full spectrum of care, including surgical, medical, and ancillary services like nutritional counseling, is more valuable than one focused only on surgery.
3. Scale and Location. Larger practices with a significant patient base in a high-demand area like Oklahoma City or Tulsa command higher multiples.
4. Growth Story. Can you show clear avenues for future growth? This could be expanding to a new location, adding a service line, or improving marketing. A clear plan for growth is something buyers will pay for.
A comprehensive valuation is the foundation of a successful practice transition strategy.
Post-Sale Considerations
The work is not over once the sale agreement is signed. The structure of your transition is critical for the future success of the practice and for your own peace of mind. Buyers will want you to stay on for a period, typically one to three years, to ensure a smooth handover of patient relationships and operational knowledge.
This is where finding the right partner becomes so important. The right buyer will not only offer a fair price but will also have a culture that respects your legacy and values your staff. Thinking about your goals ahead of time is important. Do you want to continue practicing clinically with less administrative burden? Do you want to phase out into retirement? Defining your ideal post-sale role helps us find a buyer whose vision aligns with yours, ensuring the practice you built continues to thrive long after you have left.
Your legacy and staff deserve protection during the transition to new ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Oklahoma a unique market for selling a bariatric and obesity practice?
Oklahoma ranks third nationally for adult obesity, with nearly 40% of the adult population having a BMI over 30, creating a sustained and high demand for bariatric and obesity services. This demand makes the market for these practices lucrative and appealing to buyers.
How does the rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy impact the sale of bariatric practices?
While some worry that GLP-1 drugs might reduce the demand for surgery, practices that integrate medical weight management with surgical options are viewed as more resilient and comprehensive. This integration widens the patient base and increases the practice’s value by showing adaptability and a multidisciplinary approach.
What is the advantage of using a managed M&A process over a standard public listing when selling a bariatric practice in Oklahoma?
A managed M&A process maintains confidentiality, engages a curated list of qualified strategic buyers, and creates competitive bidding tension, leading to better terms and higher valuations. In contrast, public listings have low confidentiality, limited buyer pools, and minimal competition, often resulting in lower valuations.
What factors influence the valuation multiple of a bariatric practice in Oklahoma?
Key factors include the provider model (non-owner-dependent practices command higher multiples), service mix (full spectrum care is more valuable), scale and location (larger practices in high-demand areas get higher multiples), and the growth story (clear future growth plans increase value).
What should a practice owner consider for the post-sale transition period?
Owners should plan for their role after the sale, typically staying on for one to three years to ensure smooth patient and operational handovers. It’s important to find a buyer whose culture respects the practice’s legacy and staff. Defining personal goals, like continuing clinical work or retiring, helps align the transition plan for long-term success and peace of mind.