People who have used GLP-1 medications—such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro—often see big improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight.
But once they stop taking the medication, those benefits usually fade. For people looking for a more long-lasting solution, bariatric surgery may be a better option.
At UChicago Medicine, bariatric surgeon Dr. Vanessa Buie treats patients who have reached the maximum GLP-1 dose or hit a weight-loss plateau. She says there is strong evidence supporting the use of GLP-1s either alongside or before surgery.
Recently, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital began offering bariatric surgery, providing more convenience beyond the Hyde Park campus.
Dr. Buie explains that surgery offers more durable weight-loss results. While some weight regain (around 5%) is expected after surgery, many patients maintain significant weight loss even 10 to 15 years later. In contrast, weight returns faster after stopping GLP-1s and depends on how quickly and how much weight was lost during use.
Surgery may also be more affordable. A study in JAMA Surgery found that bariatric surgery saves about $12,000 over two years compared to continuing GLP-1 therapy.
UChicago Medicine personalizes surgery options based on each patient’s health and lifestyle. The most common types are:
Sleeve gastrectomy: About 80% of the stomach is removed, limiting food intake and lowering hunger hormones.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: The intestines are rerouted and a small pouch is created, helpful for those with diabetes or acid reflux.
Duodenal switch: Combines a sleeve with intestinal rerouting. It is ideal for those with very high BMI, severe diabetes, or goals to lose 200+ pounds.
To qualify, patients must commit to long-term lifestyle changes and meet with a team that includes dietitians and mental health professionals. Some insurance plans also require proof of supervised weight loss.
GLP-1s must be stopped two weeks before surgery because they slow down digestion, which can lead to risks like aspiration under anesthesia. Patients are also asked to follow a low-calorie, high-protein “liver-shrinking diet” before surgery. This reduces liver size by up to 25%, making surgery safer and easier.
After surgery, patients can lose 25% to 35% of their total body weight. About 60%–80% of people with type 2 diabetes see major improvement or remission in the first year. Patients take two weeks off to adjust to smaller meals and new habits. For example, a post-surgery stomach is the size of two shot glasses, and meals are just a few spoonfuls.
Support is key. Patients have scheduled follow-ups at two weeks, six weeks, four months, 10 months, and then annually. They are also supported by dietitians, psychologists, and social workers to help them adjust.
Sometimes weight loss stalls or reverses years after surgery. If no further surgery is possible, patients may restart GLP-1s to help manage weight. However, doctors must carefully consider side effects, like nausea and appetite loss, which could complicate recovery.
In summary, GLP-1s are effective for many, but bariatric surgery can offer longer-lasting results and cost savings. For patients ready for the next step, personalized surgical care with long-term support may be the answer.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies that hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight .
For more health information, please see recent studies about a simple path to weight loss, and results showing a non-invasive treatment for obesity and diabetes.
The study is published in JAMA Surgery.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
