A recent study revealed that bariatric surgery leads to the most significant and long-lasting weight loss compared to other treatments such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and lifestyle changes. Researchers found that bariatric surgery results in about 25% weight loss that can be maintained for up to 10 years. This study was presented at the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
In comparison, lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise only resulted in an average weight loss of 7.4%, which was regained within 4.1 years. GLP-1s like semaglutide and tirzepatide showed better weight loss outcomes, with tirzepatide resulting in a 21.1% weight loss over nine months. However, once treatment stopped, about half of the lost weight returned within a year.
Experts believe that metabolic and bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for severe obesity, yet it is underutilized. The study reviewed data from various sources and included approximately 20,000 patients to draw these conclusions. This research highlights the importance of considering surgery earlier in the treatment of obesity to achieve better long-term outcomes.
