Research
Energy balance
Bariatric surgery (specifically Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) produces the largest and most durable weight loss among current treatments, serving as a benchmark for efficacy, though individual response varies significantly.
If lifestyle and medications fail, bariatric surgery (like RYGB) is the most effective option for significant, sustained weight loss, averaging over 30% loss. It is considered the benchmark for efficacy, though it requires lifelong medical follow-up.
StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
Surgical treatment of obesity produces the largest weight losses and the best maintenance of weight loss of any currently available treatment... bariatric surgery was a 'benchmark for efficacy' in the management of obesity.
Why this rating
Supported by longitudinal studies (LSOS) and meta-analyses cited.
Source
Evidence‐based weight loss interventions: Individualized treatment options to maximize patient outcomes
George A. Bray et al. · Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism · 2020
DOI 10.1111/dom.14200
narrative_reviewCited 133×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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