Bariatric surgery remains the most effective treatment for obesity, according to a recent study published by scientists at New York University. The research analyzed real-world data from over 50,000 patients who underwent either bariatric surgery or received GLP-1 medications for obesity.
The findings show that patients who received surgery lost an average of 58 pounds over two years, compared to 12 pounds for those on GLP-1 medications. This represents a fivefold difference in weight loss. While GLP-1 drugs have been shown to be effective in clinical trials, the study suggests they may not be as effective in real-world scenarios.
Several factors contribute to this disparity, including high dropout rates among patients taking GLP-1 medications and inadequate follow-up care. The researchers attribute the lower weight loss results to a lack of comprehensive support for patients using these medications, rather than a flaw in the treatment itself.
The study’s lead author emphasizes that while GLP-1 drugs can be beneficial for some individuals with obesity, their effectiveness is often overstated in clinical trials. Patients should manage their expectations and understand the limitations of these treatments, particularly when it comes to long-term weight loss maintenance.
The team plans to investigate further to uncover the reasons behind the discrepancy between real-world results and those seen in clinical trials.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/surgery-still-beats-ozempic-and-other-glp-1-drugs-in-real-world-weight-loss-study-2000616848