Obesity has become one of the biggest public health concerns. As much as 39% of Americans in 2022 were considered obese, and these numbers continue to increase, especially among children. Weight loss can be very challenging; through evolutionary adaptations, our bodies are highly resistant to losing weight.
Numerous studies have shown that diets often fail. Most people regain weight once diets are stopped, and many are unable to lose enough weight through dietary changes alone. As our understanding of obesity as a chronic disease grows, an increasing number of surgical and medical weight-loss options are becoming more accessible for patients.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro). It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 Americans has tried one of these medications in the past year. These medications work by decreasing food cravings and increasing feelings of satiety. When combined with diet and exercise, they can result in total body weight loss of 7-20%, depending on the medication, duration of use and patient comorbidities.
GLP-1 agonists have helped many patients make sustainable, long-term changes in their diets and maintain weight loss. However, these medications have their downsides. They can be very expensive, insurance coverage may be limited and serious adverse side effects can occur. Additionally, many patients experience a weight-loss plateau or even weight regain, especially when the medication is stopped. The long-term maintenance of weight loss often is dependent on continuing the medication. Once the medication is discontinued, most patients regain a significant portion of the lost weight.
With advances in minimally invasive and robotic techniques, bariatric surgery has low complication rates and hospital stays often as short as one night. Recovery is typically fast, with the majority of patients able to return to daily activities within a few days and to work within two weeks after surgery.
Is weight-loss surgery an option for you? Visit Powers Health Bariatric Services in Hobart or Munster to meet with our team of weight-loss specialists, who can discuss with you different weight-loss options, including surgery and GLP-1 medications.
Yazen Assaf, MD, is a board-certified general and bariatric surgeon with Powers Health. His offices in Hobart and Munster can be reached at 219-947-6122 and 219-836-4900, respectively.