Weight-Loss Surgery Outperforms GLP-1 Drugs for Long-Term Health
CLEVELAND, Ohio — A landmark study from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that weight-loss surgery provides greater long-term health benefits than GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic and Mounjaro, for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Surgery vs. GLP-1 Drugs
The decade-long study, published in Nature Medicine, tracked 3,932 adults with diabetes and obesity. Of these, 1,657 underwent bariatric or metabolic surgery, while 2,275 were treated with GLP-1 drugs, such as liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and tirzepatide.
Results showed that patients who had surgery:
- Had a 32% lower risk of death
- Saw a 35% drop in major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or heart failure)
- Experienced a 47% lower risk of kidney failure
- Had a 54% reduced risk of diabetes-related eye damage
More Weight Loss, Stronger Blood Sugar Control
Over 10 years, patients who had surgery lost an average of 21.6% of their body weight, compared to 6.8% among those using GLP-1 medicines.
Blood sugar control also improved more significantly in the surgery group, with average hemoglobin A1c reductions of -0.86%, compared to -0.23% with GLP-1 drugs.
Expert Views
“Even with today’s best medicines, metabolic surgery offers unique and lasting benefits for people with obesity and diabetes,” said Dr. Ali Aminian, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute and lead investigator. “The benefits went beyond weight loss — surgery was linked to fewer heart problems, less kidney disease, and even lower rates of diabetes-related eye damage.”
Senior author Dr. Steven Nissen, Chief Academic Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, added: “Our findings indicate that surgery should remain an important treatment option, even in the era of powerful new drugs.”
Limitations and Future Research
Researchers noted that the study was observational and not a randomized trial. It also did not focus exclusively on the newest GLP-1 drugs, such as high-dose semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Future studies are expected to directly compare metabolic surgery with these newer therapies to better guide treatment choices.
What It Means for Patients
The findings highlight the life-saving potential of surgery for patients with obesity and diabetes, even as GLP-1 drugs gain popularity for weight management. Doctors say the choice should depend on individual patient needs, access, and long-term health goals.
Would you consider surgery over medication if it meant greater long-term health benefits? Share your perspective in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
