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By Stephen Beech
Surgery leads to five times more weight loss after two years than weekly Ozempic or Mounjaro jabs, according to new research.
Weight loss injections are becoming increasingly popular after being used by celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Kelly Clarkson, Nadine Dorries and Elon Musk.
But a new American study suggests that going under the knife – known as bariatric surgery – is more effective than GLP-1 drugs – such as Ozempic or Mounjaro – for clinically obese patients trying to shed weight.
The findings show that sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass procedures were associated with about five-times more weight loss than weekly injections of GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide or tirzepatide at the end of two years.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, while tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Researchers found that patients who had one of the bariatric procedures lost an average 58 pounds after two years, compared to 12 pounds for patients who received a GLP-1 prescription for at least six months.
Patients on continuous GLP-1 therapy for a full year lost more weight, but significantly less than bariatric surgery patients.
Study lead author Dr. Avery Brown, a surgical resident at NYU Langone Health, New York, said: “Clinical trials show weight loss between 15% to 21% for GLP-1s, but this study suggests that weight loss in the real world is considerably lower even for patients who have active prescriptions for an entire year.
Haberdoedas
“We know as many as 70% of patients may discontinue treatment within one year.
“GLP-1 patients may need to adjust their expectations, adhere more closely to treatment or opt for metabolic and bariatric surgery to achieve desired results.”
The study used electronic medical record data of more than 51,000 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 who underwent a sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass or were prescribed injectable semaglutide or tirzepatide between 2018 and 2024.
Study senior author and bariatric surgeon Dr. Karan Chhabra, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said: “In future studies we will aim to identify what healthcare providers can do to optimise GLP-1 outcomes, identify which patients are better treated with bariatric surgery versus GLP-1s, and determine the role out-of-pocket costs play in treatment success.”
Around one in eight Americans (12%) say they have ever taken a GLP-1 drug, including 6% who say they are currently in treatment.
A recent study found that more than half of patients with overweight or obesity (53.6%) discontinued GLP-1 therapy within one year, a figure that grows to 72.2% by two years.
More than 270,000 weight loss ops were performed in 2023, which represents just 1% of those who meet eligibility requirements based on BMI.
The findings were presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
ASMBS President Dr. Ann Rogers, who was not involved in the study, said: “While both patient groups lose weight, metabolic and bariatric surgery is much more effective and durable.”
She added: “Those who get insufficient weight loss with GLP-1s or have challenges complying with treatment due to side effects or costs, should consider bariatric surgery as an option or even in combination.”