We’ve all heard a lot of buzz about weight loss injections lately, and my patients often ask: Are
they effective? How do they compare to bariatric surgery? In this blog, I dive into the latest information about weight loss injections and how they stack up to bariatric surgery.
The Struggle with Weight Loss
You’ve probably tried dieting, exercising, and medication. You may wonder if GLP-1
medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and
Zepbound) could be the breakthrough you’re looking for.
Although GLP-1 injections can help some patients, they carry a risk of side effects and may not
give you the lasting results you want. That’s where bariatric surgery can step incomes in.
What Research Tells Us About Weight Loss Medications
A recent study at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Annual
Meeting compared the effectiveness of lifestyle changes, GLP-1 injections, and bariatric
surgery.
The study compiled information from medical studies and clinical trials evaluating around 20,000
patients.
Results showed that patients who had weekly semaglutide injections for 20 weeks lost about
10.6% of extra weight. Those who had weekly tirzepatide injections for 36 weeks experienced
an average weight loss of 21.1%. While impressive, the results didn’t stand.
After discontinuing injections, patients gained about 50% of weight back within a year. Even
those who continued injections ran into trouble: They usually reached a weight loss plateau after
losing 22.5% (tirzepatide) or 14.9% (semaglutide) of their extra weight.
Participants who had bariatric surgery lost more weight and kept it off longer than those who
used injections. In fact, in my practice, many patients lose 60-70% of their extra weight in the
first year.
Surgery patients also saw improvements in related health issues like diabetes, high blood
pressure, and sleep apnea. These benefits lasted for years, proving that bariatric surgery isn’t
just a quick fix but a sustainable solution.
Why Bariatric Surgery Works
Bariatric surgery, like the gastric sleeve procedure I perform at EndoHospital, helps you lose
weight by physically altering your stomach. This change reduces how much you can eat. It’s a powerful tool and, alongside lifestyle changes, can give you dramatic, long-lasting weight
loss.
But the benefits go beyond the physical. Many of my patients experience a boost in confidence
and quality of life. They often tell me they can finally return to doing what they love without
feeling trapped by their weight.
Bariatric Surgery in Mexico: Closer Than You Think
I perform all my surgeries at EndoHospital, a state-of-the-art facility recognized as an SRC
Center of Excellence in Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery in Mexico. It’s located less than a mile
over the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. Call 1-800-381-8115 to learn more today.
I invite you to follow us on all our social networks, we are on Facebook (Endobariatric), Instagram (@endobariatric), we also have our YouTube channel where where I answer frequently asked questions that are sent to me, subscribe to it! we talk about very interesting subjects, find us searching for Endobariatric.
If you want a more personalized experience and you have Instagram and Tik Tok, follow me (Dr. Alvarez) to see my day both in my daily routine and in the operating room, add me! We will have a great time! My username is: gmoalvarez (Instagram) and gmoalvarezofficial (Tik Tok).
“Changing lives…one sleeve at a time”
