Which is better for long-term weight loss: bariatric surgery or popular medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound)?
New research presented in June shows that bariatric procedures like vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery lead to about five times more weight loss after two years than weekly injections of GLP-1 medications.
Why is surgical weight loss so effective, and what other health benefits can you expect after your procedure? The bariatrics team at Northwest Specialty Hospital breaks it down.
Bariatric surgery vs. GLP-1 medications: How they compare
The study from researchers at NYU Langone Health + Hospitals sheds new light on how bariatric surgery stacks up against GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. According to the findings:
- Bariatric surgery patients lost an average of 58 pounds, equivalent to 24% of their body weight
- GLP-1 users who stayed on the medication for at least six months lost an average of 12 pounds, or 4.7% of their body weight
Even after a full year on a GLP-1 receptor agonist regimen, average weight loss reached only 7% of total body weight, far below the results seen with bariatric surgery.
What’s more, while it might seem like everyone you know these days says they’re using GLP-1 medications to lose weight, the reality might surprise you. One study found that about half of patients (53.6%) quit taking GLP-1s within one year, and another 72.2% quit them within two years. When people stop taking GLP-1s, they typically regain about half the weight they lost within a year.
For these reasons, weight-loss surgery is still the most effective and long-lasting treatment for people with severe obesity (those with a body mass index, or BMI, of 35 or greater).
6 secret (and not-so-secret) benefits of bariatric surgery
People choose surgical procedures like VSG and gastric bypass to achieve dramatic weight loss. But as they start to shed pounds, most patients experience multiple other life-changing benefits. Six additional ways bariatric surgery improves your well-being include:
1. Potential remission of type 2 diabetes
Obesity increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a condition which limits the body’s ability to produce insulin effectively, raising your blood sugar to potentially dangerous levels. Bariatric surgery changes the way hormones work inside your gut, increasing natural production of the insulin-stimulating GLP-1 hormone while decreasing production of ghrelin, the “hunger hormone.” The results: significant weight loss and improved blood sugar management.
Randomized clinical trials show that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery results in the complete remission of diabetes for 90% of patients two years after discharge. Another study shows nearly 75% of patients achieve either complete or partial remission of their diabetes through Roux-en-Y and/or VSG surgeries.
2. Improved heart health
Carrying extra weight puts more stress on the heart, but weight-loss surgery eases the strain. According to American Heart Association research, patients see a 22% to 56% reduction in 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk one year after surgery, and between 15% to 47% two years post-op.
The biggest benefit: A significantly lower risk of heart failure, along with decreased risks for plaque in the arterial walls (atherosclerotic CVD), coronary artery disease, and stroke.
3. A lower risk for cancer
Being overweight increases the chance of developing 13 different types of cancers. Bariatric surgery flips the script. A study of more than 30,000 patients, including 5,000 who had weight-loss surgery, showed a 32% lower risk of developing cancer and a 48% lower risk of dying from cancer when compared to patients who did not have the surgery.
4. Less stress on the liver
Three-quarters of people living with obesity—and 90% of people with severe obesity—also have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). One particularly dangerous form of NAFLD is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which causes scarring and inflammation in the liver.
Weight-loss surgery can reverse the damage. In one study, 84% of patients saw their NASH resolve within five years after bariatric surgery.
5. A better night’s sleep
People with increased fat around the neck and upper airway are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition which can cause you to stop breathing at short intervals throughout the night. Research shows that bariatric surgery creates profound improvements in obesity-related OSA.
6. A longer, more productive life
Yes, bariatric surgery can even help you live longer, and research proves it. Scientific studies of hundreds of thousands of patients indicates a 40% reduction in the risk of dying from any cause after weight-loss procedures.
Bariatric surgery success story: Meet Samantha
Samantha’s weight-loss journey is similar to thousands of other people in North Idaho. She spent most of her life trying to keep weight off, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t do it naturally.
Seeking help, Samantha turned to the bariatric surgery program at Northwest Specialty Hospital. One year after her VSG procedure, she had lost 140 pounds and felt better than ever. Watch her story.
Where to find weight-loss surgery in North Idaho
If you’re considering weight-loss surgery, the team at Northwest Specialty Hospital is here to help. We offer a comprehensive bariatric surgery program led by board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons. You’ll also receive ongoing support from physician assistants, dietitians, mental health specialists, program coordinators, and insurance coordinators who put your health and well-being first.
We offer multiple types of bariatric surgeries, including:
- Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Lap-Band explants
- Revisional bariatric surgery
Find out more about who’s eligible for bariatric surgery and what our program entails. And if you’re ready to start your weight loss journey today, make an appointment with us. Call 208-262-0945.