We actually think were going to see an increase in patients coming to surgery, Kurian told Verywell.
I have side effects with medications.
Why Is Bariatric Surgery the Gold Standard for Treating Obesity?
Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Gastric sleeve surgeryremoves about three-quarters of the stomach and sculpts it into a banana-sized sleeve.
The adjustablegastric bandrestricts the stomach size without permanently dividing it.
Not only do these procedures cause immense weight loss.
A large 2021 review found that weight loss surgery decreased the risk of all-cause mortality by 50%.
People with diabetes who underwent surgery saw an extra nine years of life, on average.
Its probably like an orchestra.
You have the end result, which is this great symphony or tremendous weight loss.
Some of those underlying mechanisms inspired the class of weight loss medications that now enjoy the limelight.
How Do Weight Loss Drugs Compare to Bariatric Surgery?
But scientists arent yet sure if medical therapy can deliver the same long-term outcomes as bariatric surgery.
Ive been a big supporter of GLP-1-based therapy for 35 years.
In the meantime, researchers are seeking to understand thehealth effectsof GLP-1s beyond weight loss and blood sugar control.
Can You Combine Weight Loss Drugs and Surgery?
Kurian said she doesnt see medication approaching the level of efficacy she sees with bariatric surgery any time soon.
Still, she welcomes the addition of anti-obesity medications.
The question shouldnt be one or the other, but how and when can the two modalities work together?
Obesity is such a chronic disease.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Drugs and Bariatric Surgery?
The reality of undergoing surgery or committing to medication can be vastly different.
Bariatric surgeries are typically done laparoscopically or robotically, making them minimally invasive.
It often takes a few days to be discharged and four to six weeks to recover.
If someone taking a weight loss medication experiences uncomfortable side effects, they can simply stop taking it.
But reversing a surgery or managing complications can be more challenging.
Scientists have studied the safety of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes treatment for 18 years.
This is really a new era in the new medical treatment of obesity, Drucker said.
We shouldnt take for granted that we really understand their profile and their long-term safety.
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