Hormonal
Adjunctive semaglutide therapy significantly enhances total body weight loss and prevents post-balloon weight regain compared to intragastric balloon (IGB) alone in patients with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m².
If you are using an intragastric balloon for weight loss, adding semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication) can significantly increase your total weight loss and help you keep the weight off after the balloon is removed. The study used a specific dosing schedule starting at 0.5mg and going up to 1mg weekly, pausing while the balloon is in place, and restarting after removal. This approach helps overcome the natural weight regain that often happens after balloon removal alone.
The IGB + semaglutide group lost more weight than the IGB only group at 3, 6, and 12 months, with statistically significant differences at 6 months (29.09 ± 3.45 kg vs. 18.35 ± 2.80 kg, p < 0.001) and 12 months (33.03 ± 3.55 kg vs. 15.56 ± 2.50 kg, p < 0.001). After intragastric balloon removal at 6 months, the IGB only group regained previously lost weight while the IGB + semaglutide group continued to lose weight (2.79 ± 1.74 vs. -3.94 ± 2.16, p < 0.001).
Why this rating
Prospective randomized comparative study, but with a small sample size (n=40) and short duration (12 months).
Source
Adjunctive Semaglutide in Patients Undergoing Intragastric Balloon for Weight Loss: 12-Month Prospective Comparative Study
K Barakāt et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2025
DOI 10.1007/s11695-025-08368-5
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