A groundbreaking new study has found that a one-off weight-loss treatment – bariatric surgery – is significantly more effective than medication like Ozempic in terms of shifting pounds. Researchers compared the weight loss outcomes of over 50,000 obese patients who either underwent surgery or took Ozempic-like drugs.
According to the study, patients who had surgery lost an average of 58 pounds in two years, nearly one-quarter of their total body weight. In contrast, those taking GLP-1 drugs for the longest time lost just seven percent on average, or less than 20 pounds.
The experts suggest that this disparity could be due to up to 70 percent of patients stopping treatment before their prescriptions run out due to harsh side effects or not getting the desired results quickly. As a result, they are now urging people considering using Ozempic-like drugs to “adjust their expectations.”
Moreover, another study unveiled today found that individuals who underwent bariatric surgery were up to 18 percent less likely to develop psychiatric disorders like anxiety and substance abuse disorder.
The researchers warn patients looking to lose weight should consider these risks before starting a weight loss shot or opting for surgery. Dr. Avery Brown, lead author of the first study, said, “Clinical trials show weight loss between 15 percent to 21 percent for GLP-1s, but this study suggests that weight loss in the real world is considerably lower even for patients who have active prescriptions for an entire year.”
The findings from both studies highlight the importance of considering alternative options for weight loss and addressing potential risks associated with medication. As Dr. Ann Rogers, president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, noted, “Metabolic and bariatric surgery is much more effective and durable than GLP-1s.”
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14817457/study-treatment-ozempic-weight-loss-link-psychiatric-disorders.html