Bariatric surgery is a common intervention for individuals struggling with obesity. While it can lead to significant weight loss, some people experience weight regain after the procedure.
This weight regain can worsen other health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
A recent study from UT Southwestern Medical Center sheds light on an effective solution to address weight regain after bariatric surgery using anti-obesity medications, specifically semaglutide.
The Challenge of Weight Regain Post-Bariatric Surgery
Weight regain following bariatric surgery is a notable concern in the medical community. Limited data exists on how to effectively manage weight regain post-surgery.
Dr. Jaime Almandoz, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, highlighted the need for solutions to this problem.
Medications in Focus: Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide
The study compared two FDA-approved anti-obesity medications: semaglutide (Wegovy), administered weekly via injection, and liraglutide (Saxenda), administered daily via injection.
Both medications belong to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class and work by regulating appetite and feelings of fullness.
Study Findings
The study analyzed data from 207 adults who received treatment at UT Southwestern’s Weight Wellness Program between 2015 and 2021. The results were promising:
Participants taking semaglutide experienced an average weight loss of 12.9% of their body weight after 12 months.
In contrast, those on liraglutide achieved an average weight loss of 8.8%.
Patients on semaglutide were over twice as likely to lose at least 10% of their body weight.
These outcomes remained consistent across various demographic groups and types of bariatric surgeries.
The study’s findings emphasize the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists in managing weight regain after bariatric surgery. Additionally, the results suggest that semaglutide outperforms liraglutide in this context.
Dr. Almandoz believes that these findings have the potential to influence future guidelines for managing weight regain after bariatric surgery.
Given the growing prevalence of obesity and the importance of improving post-surgical outcomes, this research offers new hope and treatment options for individuals facing weight regain after bariatric procedures.
Key Takeaways
The study conducted at UT Southwestern Medical Center provides valuable insights into managing weight regain following bariatric surgery.
By comparing the effectiveness of two anti-obesity medications, semaglutide and liraglutide, the research highlights semaglutide as a superior option for weight management post-surgery.
These findings have the potential to enhance treatment strategies and improve the overall well-being of individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery.
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