New York University Research Team Reports
"Obesity Medications May Be Less Effective in Real-World Settings"
The weight loss effects of bariatric surgeries, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, have been found to be significantly greater than those of obesity medications.
On June 17 (local time), a research team led by Dr. Avery Brown from New York University announced at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery that they had analyzed and compared the weight loss effects of obesity medications and bariatric surgeries. The obesity medications included in the study were those using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), such as Wegovy.
Wegovy, an obesity treatment using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In this study, the team compared weight changes for up to two years among patients who underwent surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass for obesity treatment between 2018 and 2024, and those who received weekly injections of medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound. The participants were classified as having severe obesity based on their body mass index (BMI).
Patients who underwent surgery saw an average weight loss of approximately 26.3 kg after two years, resulting in a weight reduction rate of 25%. In contrast, patients who received GLP-1 agonists for at least six months lost an average of 5.4 kg, with a weight reduction rate of only 4.7%. This means the effect of surgery was more than five times greater than that of medication.
Dr. Brown stated, "In clinical trials, the weight loss effect of GLP-1 agonists was 15 to 21%, but in real-world settings, it may be much lower." He added, "Patients taking obesity medications may need to adjust their expectations or consider bariatric surgery to achieve their goals."
Co-researcher Professor Karan Chhabra from NYU Grossman School of Medicine said, "Our goal moving forward is to determine how to optimize the effects of GLP-1 medications in obesity treatment, to identify which patients are better suited for bariatric surgery, and which patients may benefit more from GLP-1 therapy."
Ann Rogers, president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, commented, "This study shows that while both patient groups experienced weight loss, metabolic bariatric surgery is more effective and sustainable than medication." She emphasized the significance of the findings.
She added, "Patients for whom GLP-1 agonists are not sufficiently effective, or who have difficulty continuing treatment due to side effects or cost, should consider bariatric surgery as a treatment option."
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