Systematic reviews conducted from 2020 to 2024 have revealed that bariatric surgery leads to the most substantial and long-lasting weight loss compared to other weight-loss methods such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and lifestyle changes. This information was shared at the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).
The data compiled from various scientific studies show that lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise resulted in an average weight loss of 7.4%, but the lost weight was typically regained within 4.1 years. On the other hand, GLP-1s and bariatric surgery demonstrated more promising outcomes. For instance, patients receiving weekly injections of GLP-1 semaglutide experienced a 10.6% weight loss over five months, while those on tirzepatide saw a 21.1% weight reduction after nine months. However, once treatment ceased, around half of the lost weight returned within a year, regardless of the medication used.
Furthermore, metabolic and bariatric surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy were found to result in total weight loss of 31.9% and 29.5% respectively, one year post-surgery. Remarkably, a weight loss of approximately 25% was maintained for up to a decade following surgery.
Despite these compelling findings, the ASMBS reports that only about 1% of eligible individuals based on BMI underwent metabolic and bariatric procedures in the U.S. in 2022. Given the prevalence of obesity in the country, experts emphasize the urgent need to expand the utilization of bariatric surgery, which is considered a safe and highly effective treatment for severe obesity.
