Most patients are afraid of surgical intervention and prefer medical treatment for obesity. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) drugs are especially popular – medications that act as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They stimulate insulin production, suppress glucagon release, and slow gastric emptying, which leads to lower blood sugar levels and reduced appetite. However, the effectiveness of such drugs is significantly lower than bariatric surgery.
Recently, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) published the results of a study showing that with metabolic and bariatric surgery, patients lose five times more weight compared to GLP-1 drug injections.
Researchers found that patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass lost an average of 58 pounds (about 24% of total body weight) after two years. In comparison, patients using GLP-1 injections for six months lost only 12 pounds (around 4.7% of total body weight). Those who received continuous GLP-1 therapy for a full year lost about 7% of their total body weight.
During clinical trials of GLP-1 drugs, doctors recorded weight loss ranging from 15% to 21%, but this study showed that in the real world, weight loss results are much lower. Avery Brown, MD, the study’s lead author, noted that about 70% of patients stop treatment within a year without reaching the desired result.
The researchers used real-world data from electronic medical records of patients who underwent bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass) or received semaglutide or tirzepatide injections between 2018 and 2024. They noted that about 12% of Americans have taken a GLP-1 drug at some point. However, a recent study found that more than half of overweight or obese patients (53.6%) discontinued GLP-1 therapy within one year. After two years, this rate rises to 72.2%.
Ann Rogers, MD, president of ASMBS, who was not involved in the study, said: “While both groups of patients lose weight, metabolic and bariatric surgery is far more effective and long-lasting than GLP-1 injections.”
