Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss
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At a Glance
Weight loss medications help control appetite, slow digestion, and improve blood sugar. They can support weight loss, but they have risks and require medical guidance.
- Side effects and safety risks vary by person
- GLP-1 drugs mimic hormones that control hunger
- Medications work best with lifestyle changes
Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, arthritis, and certain cancers. For some, lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to lose weight. For those needing extra help, weight loss medications are approved for those with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 with at least one weight-related medical condition.
Dr. Carey Brown, medical director of Kettering Health Miamisburg’s bariatric program, shares what weight loss medications are, how they work, and the possible effects of using them.
What are weight loss drugs?
Currently, there are two injectable medications on the market approved to treat obesity: semaglutide (brand name Wegovy) and tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound).
Medications containing semaglutide mimic the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a naturally occurring hormone that regulates appetite and digestion. Wegovy reduces appetite, slows digestion, lowers cravings, and improves blood sugar regulation, allowing people taking it to eat less without feeling hungry.
“It actually slows down the emptying of the stomach,” Dr. Brown says, “so food is held longer.”
Tirzepatide mimics two hunger hormones: GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Zepbound works similarly to Wegovy, but it has been shown to have greater weight-loss capabilities because it targets both hormones.
The average weight loss in clinical trials was around 15% of body weight for medications containing semaglutide over one and a half years, and around 20 to 25% of body weight for Zepbound.
“It’s helpful and beneficial as long as the person understands that these medications are not risk-free,” Dr. Brown says.
What are the side effects?
Common side effects of weight loss medications include
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Bloating
These symptoms are usually mild and most noticeable when the medication dose is increased.
Less common but more severe side effects include
- Gallstones
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Inflammation of the pancreas
People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer should not take these medications. Neither should those with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2).
Make the right choice for you
Weight-loss medications are an alternative to weight-loss surgeries that require no recovery time, but may require continuous use to keep weight off.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Interested in bariatric surgery? Sign up for our online seminar to get started.
Learn morePeople Often Ask
Semaglutide targets one hormone (GLP-1), while tirzepatide targets two (GLP-1 and GIP). This difference may lead to greater weight loss with tirzepatide in clinical trials.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. More serious risks can include gallstones, low blood sugar, dehydration, and pancreas inflammation.
Clinical trials show about 15% body weight loss with semaglutide and 20–25% with tirzepatide over time. Results vary by person.
People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) should not use these medications.
Weight loss medications can be an alternative to bariatric surgery and do not require recovery time. However, they may need to be used long-term to maintain weight loss.
