Weight Loss Surgery vs. Medications

At St. Louis Bariatrics, we know that struggling with weight loss can be frustrating. Diet and exercise alone do not always work, but weight loss surgery and weight loss medication are powerful tools on the journey to better health. Dr. Snow and his team have helped many patients achieve weight loss success and one thing we have learned is that every patient has unique needs and goals. If you are trying to decide which weight loss method is right for you, we can help.

• The Facts About Weight Loss Surgery
• How Does Weight Loss Surgery Work?
• What is Involved in Getting Weight Loss Surgery?
• What Kind of Results Can I Expect with Weight Loss Surgery?
• The Facts About Weight Loss Medication
• How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?
• What is Involved in Getting Weight Loss Medications?
• What Kind of Results Can I Expect with Weight Loss Medication?
• Weight Loss Surgery vs. Weight Loss Medications: Comparing Pros and Cons
• How Do I Know Which One is Right for Me?

The Facts About Weight Loss Surgery

How Does Weight Loss Surgery Work?

Bariatric procedures such as gastric sleeve work by restricting the amount of food you are able to eat and by altering the gut hormones that affect hunger and satiety. Gastric bypass also has a malabsorption effect that reduces the calories your body absorbs.

What is Involved in Getting Weight Loss Surgery?

The first step is a consultation appointment to determine if weight loss surgery is right for you. From there, the next steps will depend on your health needs and goals. Once your surgery is scheduled, we’ll give you details on a pre- and post-surgical diet. There may be additional steps if you are using insurance to pay for weight loss surgery. It is not always a lengthy process though—for qualified patients, we can help you get from approval to OR in less than 30 days.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect with Weight Loss Surgery?

Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass patients who follow a healthy diet and exercise routine may lose up to 70% of their excess weight.¹ Additionally, patients who undergo gastric sleeve or gastric bypass often experience an improvement in conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea,² and hypertension.

The Facts About Weight Loss Medication

How Do Weight Loss Medications Work?

When it comes to prescription weight loss medication, there are several different categories. A newer class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists use the active ingredient semaglutide. These injectable medications, such as Ozempic® or Wegovy®, work by regulating hormones. There are also GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro® or Zepbound™, which are approved to treat Type 2 Diabetes with a medication called Tirzepatide. These medications are GLP-1 receptor “activators”.

Prescription weight loss medications offered at St. Louis Bariatrics include:

• Phentermine (Adipex or Lomaira™)
• Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia®)
• Naltrexone HCL/Bupropion (Contrave®)
• Liraglutide (Saxenda® or Victoza®)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic® or Wegovy®)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro® or Zepbound™)

What is Involved in Getting Weight Loss Medications?

At St. Louis Bariatrics, weight loss medications are part of our comprehensive medical weight loss program. The first step is a consultation appointment where you’ll meet with our provider to determine if you are a candidate and which medication may be best for you. An appointment with lab work will be needed before you get your prescription. From there, we will schedule regular check-in appointments to monitor your progress and offer support around healthy lifestyle habits.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect with Weight Loss Medication?

In general, weight loss medications will deliver slower results than bariatric surgery. Studies show that patients generally lose a little more than 5% after 3 months of taking semaglutide and a little more than 10% ³ after 6 months. Similar to surgery, you can improve your results by following healthy eating and exercise habits.

Weight Loss Surgery vs. Weight Loss Medications: Comparing Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of each choice will depend largely on your personal needs and preferences. For some people, the slower weight loss associated with medications is a positive factor and for some it is negative. For patients with obesity-related medical conditions, the proven success of bariatric surgery to cure Type 2 diabetes and other conditions can be an important factor. For patients who are concerned with recovery time after surgery, medication may be a good option. There are so many individual factors that will contribute to your decision.

How Do I Know Which One is Right for Me?

The best way to determine which weight loss surgery or medication is right for you is to schedule a consultation. Use your initial research to reflect on what your needs and goals are, and then call us to get answers to any questions. Our experienced team will take the time to explain your options and recommend one that will work best for your lifestyle. Contact us.

References:

¹ Hoyuela C. Five-year outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as a primary procedure for morbid obesity: A prospective study. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2017;9(4):109-117. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v9.i4.109
² American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Sleeve gastrectomy. Available: https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures#sleeve. Accessed July 16, 2022
³ Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A. Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Sep 1;5(9):e2231982. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982. PMID: 36121652; PMCID: PMC9486455.