Research
Hormonal
Newer GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) are expected to provide superior post-operative weight loss compared to prior GLP-1 RAs, despite a lack of specific post-surgical clinical trials.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide show impressive weight loss in non-surgical patients, but there is currently no data on their effectiveness specifically after bariatric surgery. Liraglutide and topiramate remain the best-supported options for post-surgical weight regain.
LimitedConditionalLOW confidence
Despite the absence of data detailing the use of these newer agents after bariatric surgery, the existing GLP-1-RA data in this setting and the substantial weight loss seen in non-surgical patients using semaglutide 2.4mg and tirzepatide suggest that these agents will likely provide more post-operative weight loss than prior GLP-1-RAs.
Why this rating
No direct post-surgical trials exist; based on extrapolation from non-surgical phase 3 trials.
Source
Pharmacologic management of weight regain following bariatric surgery
Eugene Lucas et al. · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2023
DOI 10.3389/fendo.2022.1043595
narrative_reviewCited 31×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Pharmacologic management using GLP-1 receptor agonists (specifically liraglutide), topiramate, and phentermine/topiramate is effective for treating weight regain or weight loss plateaus following bariatric surgery.Moderate
- Initiating anti-obesity medications (AOMs) at the weight loss plateau (WLP) is more effective for achieving additional weight loss than waiting until significant weight regain occurs.Moderate
Related findings · Hormonal
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- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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