Bariatric Surgery Remains the Best Way to Lose Weight Safely and Effectively

Obesity has become one of the leading causes of preventable deaths, right alongside diabetes and high blood pressure.

That’s why new weight-loss medications like Ozempic have been a welcome development as people try to improve their health. Newer weight-loss medications offer significant help, but there are also several considerations to keep in mind.

For starters, continuous usage is required to sustain results. Secondly, these drugs are designed to help diabetes. Many insurance companies will thus only cover the cost of medications for people with diabetes. Without insurance coverage, the cost of these medications is out of reach for many people. Furthermore, the drugs are still fairly new and our knowledge of their long-term effects is limited. Side effects should be reviewed with your physician.

These concerns have simultaneously highlighted a proven and safe weight-loss option: bariatric surgery. According to a recent study co-led by Dr. Marina Kurian of NYU Langone Health, bariatric surgery results in longer lasting weight loss compared to drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Dr. Kurian also believes bariatric surgery is underused.

The appeal of medications comes from the fact that they don’t require surgery. These drugs are usually injected once a week. They lower glucose levels to help control hunger. However, once patients stop taking the drugs, the weight often returns.

On the other hand, while bariatric procedures involve surgery, they’re much more effective in the long term. That’s why they are considered the gold standard for proven, safe, long-term weight loss. They not only help with weight loss but also improve hunger, diabetes and other serious conditions related to obesity.

“There is an unprecedented sustainable improvement in weight associated comorbidities with bariatric surgery,” says Legacy Health surgeon, Dr. Avishai Meyer. “Recent studies have suggested that combining bariatric surgery and weight loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, can also help lead to even more sustained weight loss.”

At Legacy Weight and Diabetes Institute, we offer several weight-loss surgeries and procedures. With each one, safety remains our top priority. Our experienced and compassionate professionals will guide patients through every step of the weight-loss journey.

The most common type of bariatric surgery is sleeve gastrectomy. The other is gastric bypass. In different ways, both reduce the size and capacity of the stomach, thereby making the patient feel full faster while eating. Both surgeries are safe. Your surgeon will discuss the best option for you given your medical history, medications and preferences. Learn more about weight-loss surgery and procedure options.

Bariatric surgery typically results in a loss of about 25% to 35% of total body weight and 50% to 70% of excess weight, compared to roughly 20% of total body weight with medications like Ozempic. Bariatric surgery also lowers the risk of death from heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Post-surgery, we closely monitor patients through follow-up visits to manage their weight loss effectively. This hands-on method outperforms medication administration alone, offering in-depth follow-up, greater weight loss, and robust improvement in weight-related health issues.

Of course, bariatric surgery isn’t without its challenges. Like any surgery, it comes with risks. There are also specific requirements for insurance coverage.