GLP-1s Before Bariatric Surgery May Have No Effect

• A brand new examine discovered that utilizing GLP-1 drugs, similar to Ozempic or Wegovy, earlier than bariatric surgical procedure was not related to higher weight reduction 12 months after the process.
• Researchers additionally discovered no important variations in diabetes management, postoperative issues, size of hospital keep, or emergency division visits.
• Specialists say GLP-1 drugs should present advantages earlier than or after bariatric surgical procedure, together with serving to with weight reduction earlier than surgical procedure or managing weight regain afterward.

A brand new examine means that utilizing GLP-1 drugs, similar to Ozempic and Wegovy, earlier than bariatric surgical procedure might not result in higher weight reduction after the process.

The analysis, printed August 12 in JAMA Surgery, additionally discovered no important variations in diabetes management, postoperative issues, size of hospital keep, or emergency division visits between individuals who used GLP-1s earlier than surgical procedure and those that didn’t.

Nevertheless, the findings don’t rule out potential advantages of utilizing GLP-1 medications earlier than or after bariatric surgical procedure, together with serving to some individuals drop a few pounds earlier than the process or handle weight regain afterward.

Researchers analyzed knowledge from 383 individuals who underwent bariatric surgery at a single middle between 2022 and 2024. Of these, 92 (24%) had been utilizing a GLP-1 treatment, primarily semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), earlier than surgical procedure.

The researchers tracked contributors for 12 months after surgical procedure, together with whole physique weight reduction proportion, issues, and postoperative hemoglobin A1C levels.

The people utilizing a GLP-1 treatment earlier than surgical procedure had been comparable in age, body mass index (BMI), intercourse, and different traits to those that weren’t utilizing the drugs. Nevertheless, the GLP-1 group had a better prevalence of diabetes and a better common A1C degree. This group additionally had a decrease prevalence of smoking.

At 12 months, the distinction in weight reduction was not statistically important. Individuals who had used GLP-1 drugs earlier than surgical procedure had misplaced a median of 24% of their whole physique weight, in contrast with 25% amongst those that had not used the drugs.

A higher proportion of whole physique weight reduction was noticed amongst individuals with a better BMI earlier than surgical procedure and amongst males.

In the meantime, diabetes and having a sort of bariatric surgical procedure known as a sleeve gastrectomy had been related to a decrease proportion of weight reduction.

Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon, bariatric drugs specialist, and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Heart at Orange Coast Medical Heart in Fountain Valley, CA, famous that the examine’s findings weren’t shocking.

“As a result of individuals are likely to lose a sure proportion of their beginning weight after bariatric surgical procedure, it is sensible that sufferers who start at the same BMI can be anticipated to lose the same quantity of weight. So, in that context, the examine’s findings should not notably shocking,” he informed Healthline.

Ali, who was not concerned within the analysis, additionally famous that the examine didn’t particularly account for weight reduction that contributors might have already achieved from GLP-1 drugs earlier than surgical procedure.

“In my observe, I’ve discovered that shedding weight earlier than surgical procedure could be helpful not just for lowering a few of the dangers related to surgical procedure, but in addition for supporting higher long-term weight-loss outcomes,” he stated.

The researchers equally famous that they had been unable to precisely quantify how a lot weight contributors misplaced earlier than surgical procedure or how lengthy that they had been taking GLP-1 drugs.

Paunel Vukasinov, MD, twin board licensed internist and weight problems drugs specialist, with Medical Workplaces of Manhattan, who wasn’t concerned within the examine, famous that the examine solely goes out 12 months.

“For weight problems, I’m far more excited by what occurs years after the surgical procedure as the chance of weight regain will increase,” he stated.

Though the examine discovered no important distinction in weight reduction between individuals who used GLP-1 drugs earlier than bariatric surgical procedure and those that didn’t, consultants say the drugs should be helpful earlier than and after surgical procedure.

“I’d rethink ‘treatment versus surgical procedure’ and as an alternative take into consideration weight problems as a continual illness for which we now have a number of complementary therapeutic instruments,” stated Vukasinov.

He added that postoperative pharmacotherapy might in the end be crucial as a result of bariatric surgical procedure mustn’t essentially be seen as the ultimate therapy a affected person ever receives.

Ali informed Healthline that in his observe, he makes use of GLP-1 drugs in a number of totally different conditions. For instance, for individuals who are beginning out with a really excessive BMI, utilizing a GLP-1 treatment can assist them drop a few pounds, probably cut back surgical dangers, and enhance their possibilities of reaching a more healthy weight.

He famous that he may even provide GLP-1 drugs to people who attain a weight reduction plateau following surgical procedure and wish to lose extra weight.

“They may also be useful for sufferers who expertise weight regain a number of years after their process. In these conditions, GLP-1 drugs could be one instrument we take into account as a part of a broader, individualized weight-management plan,” he stated.