5 Reasons Bariatric Surgery Might Be a Better Weight Loss Choice Than GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® can help people lose weight—but may not be the best option for lasting results. Here’s why you might want to consider bariatric surgery instead.
By Ayotunde Adeyeri, MD, FASMBS
As a board-certified bariatric surgeon serving patients in Middlesex and Monmouth County, New Jersey, I understand the appeal of weight loss medications. They are convenient, can lead to quick results, and are heavily marketed as the latest solution to obesity.
But here’s the truth:
Sixty-five percent of people who start GLP1 weight loss medications
stop using them within the first year.
These drugs were originally created for people with diabetes—and they were not designed for long-term weight management in people without this condition.
I’ve seen many patients who started out hopeful, only to experience unpleasant side effects, including:
- Chronic nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Muscle loss in the face and body
- Pancreatitis or gallbladder issues
- Hair loss
- Malnutrition issues due to extreme calorie deprivation
- Weight regain after discontinuing the medication
Others found the continuous financial burden unsustainable, especially when insurance didn’t cover long-term medication coverage. When they stopped the injections, the weight came back—often quickly.
For those significantly overweight and considering all options, bariatric surgery may offer a more sustainable path forward. Here are five reasons why gastric sleeve or gastric bypass might be a more sustainable weight loss solution for you:
- Surgery Addresses the Root Cause—Not Just Appetite
GLP-1s work by slowing digestion and reducing appetite. Most people have a metabolic set point—a weight range your body naturally tries to maintain, even if it’s unhealthy. When you lose weight through dieting or medication, your body may fight to return to that higher weight by slowing your metabolism and increasing hunger hormones.
But bariatric surgery helps reset that set point by changing how your digestive system and hormones work together. After a procedure like the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, your hunger signals decrease, your metabolism improves, and your body begins to defend a lower, healthier weight.
- You Don’t Have to Take Medication for Life
Most people must continue GLP-1 medication indefinitely to keep the weight off. Once they stop, the appetite quickly returns and, often, so does the lost weight. Bariatric surgery is a one-time procedure with lifelong impact. Through lifestyle and nutrition changes, you lose the weight and keep it off without relying on weekly injections.
- Fewer Side Effects and Better Tolerability
GLP-1 medications can cause unpleasant side effects compared to bariatric surgery side effects, which are generally short-term and manageable with the support of an experienced clinical weight management team. In fact, most of my surgical weight loss patients are back to work and normal routines two to four weeks after surgery.
- Surgery Can Improve or Reverse Obesity-Related Conditions
Bariatric surgery is not just about weight loss. It’s a proven treatment solution for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, chronic joint pain and high cholesterol. Many of my patients are able to reduce or eliminate these medications after surgery, which also saves monthly prescription medication costs and doctor visit expenses.
- We Have the Long-Term Success Stories to Prove It
At Sterling Surgicare, my team of weight loss professionals and I have helped thousands of patients not only lose weight but to reboot their health, confidence and lifespan. You can read their success stories here—about real people in New Jersey who took control of their weight and never looked back.
Considering Your Options? Let’s Talk.
If you’re significantly overweight and wondering whether surgery or medication is the best next step, you don’t have to decide alone. I offer a safe, supportive space to help you make the best choice for your health goals and your life.
I welcome an opportunity to meet with you and talk about your health history, weight loss goals, and lifestyle—and map out a plan that works for you long term.
📅 Call my team at 732-217-3897 or email Sterling’s practice manager, Natasha at natasha@sterlingsurgicare.com to schedule a prompt private consultation with me today. Let’s find the right path forward—together.