Some people may wonder: What’s the best way to lose a significant amount of excess weight and keep it off? Is it with GLP-1 weight loss medications — or is bariatric surgery the best approach? For some people, the answer may be both.
While studies show that bariatric surgery has a higher success rate for significant and long-term weight loss than GLP-1 medications alone, experts are now exploring how combining the two strategies might further improve a person's long-term weight loss journey.
At Michael Sutker, MD, in Dallas, Texas, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon Dr. Michael Sutker can determine if you're a good candidate for bariatric surgery, including which surgery is best for your weight loss goals and lifestyle — and whether GLP-1 drugs before surgery can help you get better results.
The term bariatric surgery refers to various weight loss procedures for people who are obese and haven’t been able to successfully lose weight (and keep it off) with diet and exercise alone. The two most common bariatric surgeries are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).
Bariatric surgeries help by reducing the size of your stomach, so you feel fuller and more satiated faster, with less food. Additionally, these surgeries help by altering your digestive system and hormone production, most notably ghrelin, which helps regulate appetite.
Good candidates for bariatric surgery are those with a body mass index (BMI) over 40, or between 35 and 40 with additional weight-related health issues like type 2 diabetes. People with a BMI between 30 and 34 may also be candidates if they have weight-related health issues.
You may know of these medications by their trademarked names, such as Wegovy® , Ozempic®, and Zepbound®. GLP-1 medications, also called GLP-1 agonists, are used to help manage blood sugar and promote weight loss.
Initially, these medications were FDA-approved to treat people with type 2 diabetes. Over the last few years, however, they’ve become increasingly used for weight loss. With few risks and side effects, GLP-1 drugs have become popular for even moderate weight loss.
There are risks with any surgery — but losing weight before an elective surgery can reduce those risks. Those with a BMI of 50 or higher have the highest risk of complications from a bariatric procedure.
So, using GLP-1 medications to help lose some weight and lower your BMI before weight loss surgery may also help reduce your overall risks. Experts say that using GLP-1s before surgery appears to improve outcomes.
If you’ve tried diet and exercise and haven’t been able to lose excess weight or manage obesity, contact Michael Sutker, MD, in Dallas, Texas, today. We can help determine if weight loss surgery, GLP-1 medications, or both can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
