Could Ozempic Help After Underwhelming Metabolic Surgery
Metabolic surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a procedure that aims to help people with obesity lose weight by reducing the size of their stomach or bypassing part of their digestive system. However, not all patients achieve their desired weight loss goals after undergoing this surgery.
Underwhelming Results of Metabolic Surgery
Studies have shown that some patients who undergo metabolic surgery do not achieve significant weight loss or experience weight regain after the initial period of weight loss. This can be frustrating for patients who have undergone this surgery as a last resort to manage their obesity and related health conditions.
What is Ozempic and How Can it Help?
Ozempic is a prescription medication that is used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, recent studies have shown that it can also help with weight loss in people who are overweight or obese.
Ozempic works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called GLP-1, which is produced naturally in the body. GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels and also helps to reduce appetite and food cravings.
Studies on Ozempic and Weight Loss After Metabolic Surgery
Recent studies have shown that Ozempic can help to improve weight loss outcomes in patients who have undergone metabolic surgery and are struggling to achieve their weight loss goals.
In one study, patients who were given Ozempic after metabolic surgery lost an average of 16.2% of their body weight, compared to only 7.6% in the control group who did not receive Ozempic.
According to the BARI-OPTIMISE randomized trial, the addition of a GLP-1 receptor agonist to lifestyle intervention proved effective in enhancing weight loss for patients who had unsatisfactory results after primary metabolic surgery. Rachel Batterham, MBBS, PhD, from the University College London Centre for Obesity Research, and her colleagues reported that out of 70 individuals who experienced suboptimal weight loss and GLP-1 response following established metabolic procedures, those who received 3-mg liraglutide demonstrated significantly greater weight loss compared to those on a placebo injection.
Over 24 weeks, patients on injectable liraglutide lost an average of 8.82% of their baseline body weight, while those on placebo only experienced a 0.54% loss. This translated to an average loss of 9.49 kg [20.9 lb] for liraglutide-treated patients versus a 0.39 kg [0.86 lb] loss for the placebo group, as reported in JAMA Surgery.
At the specified time-point, 71.9% of patients treated with liraglutide achieved at least 5% reduction in their body weight, meeting the threshold for clinically significant weight loss, while only 8.8% of placebo patients attained the same level of weight loss.
Benefits of Ozempic for Metabolic Surgery Patients
The benefits of Ozempic for metabolic surgery patients include:
- Improved weight loss outcomes
- Reduced risk of weight regain
- Improved blood sugar control
- Reduced appetite and food cravings
Is Ozempic Right for You?
If you have undergone metabolic surgery and are struggling to achieve your weight loss goals, Ozempic may be a good option for you. However, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine if it is safe and appropriate for you to take this medication.
Conclusion
Metabolic surgery can be an effective tool for managing obesity, but it may not work for everyone. If you have undergone this surgery and are struggling to achieve your weight loss goals, Ozempic may be a good option to consider. Contact us to learn more about this medication and whether it is right for you.
