Loading ...
419-354-8900
Find a Provider Access My Health Records Pay My Bill Emergency / Urgent Care

Weight Loss Treatment: Choosing Between Surgery and GLP-1 Medication

Categories Newsletter , Health tips , Stories

The demand for safe and reliable weight loss treatment has grown as more people look for help managing obesity and improving their long-term health. Today, you have more choices than ever before. Weight loss surgery is a proven option, but newer GLP-1 medications offer a non-surgical path that's a viable alternative for some.

Understanding both options is an important step. Each treatment has benefits, risks and eligibility requirements. Learning how each approach works can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and health needs.

Modern Weight Loss Treatment Options

Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery includes several procedures that modify your stomach or reroute your intestines to limit how much you can eat or absorb.

Common procedures include:

  • Gastric sleeve: This procedure involves removing a large portion of your stomach to create a smaller sleeve-shaped pouch.
  • Gastric bypass: The surgery creates a small stomach pouch and redirects your intestines.
  • Duodenal switch: This option combines stomach reduction with an intestinal bypass.

Those procedures lower appetite signals and improve how your body processes food. Most surgeries are minimally invasive with small incisions and shorter hospital stays.

GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections

GLP-1 medications are prescription injections that mimic the hormones in your small intestine. They help regulate blood sugar, slow digestion and increase the feeling of fullness. Examples include Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro. Medications are injected once a week into the fatty tissue under your skin. They've become popular because they support steady weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.

Comparing Weight Loss Surgery and GLP-1 Injections

Effectiveness and Expected Results

Bariatric surgery often leads to the greatest total weight loss, with many patients losing 60 to 70 percent of excess body weight. Results tend to be long-lasting when paired with healthy habits. GLP-1 injections can help you lose up to 20 percent of your body weight, but results vary, and weight regain is common if treatment stops.

Health Benefits Beyond Weight Loss

Surgery often improves or resolves conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and acid reflux. Gastric bypass can sometimes reverse diabetes entirely. GLP-1 medications may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke and can improve blood sugar control if you have diabetes.

Risks

Surgery carries risks related to any major procedure, including bleeding, infection, hernias and vitamin deficiencies. GLP-1 injections can cause nausea, constipation, fatigue and abdominal discomfort. More serious risks include pancreatitis or gallbladder issues.

Side Effects

Surgical side effects are usually related to healing and rapid weight loss, such as soreness and temporary fatigue. GLP-1 medications commonly cause digestive symptoms like nausea and bloating, especially if your dose increases.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Insurance usually covers the cost of bariatric surgery if you meet specific criteria and complete required evaluations. GLP-1 medications aren't typically covered for weight loss alone and can cost more than $1,000 per month if you don't have insurance coverage.

Who is a Candidate for Weight Loss Treatment?

Surgery Candidates

You're considered a candidate for bariatric surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or higher or a BMI between 35 and 40 with an obesity-related condition such as sleep apnea or high blood pressure. You must complete medical and psychological evaluations and demonstrate previous attempts at weight loss. Surgery may be necessary if you require significant weight loss.

GLP-1 Candidates

GLP-1 medications are an option if you have a BMI of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher with a related health condition. Those medications may be a good fit if you prefer a non-surgical approach or don't meet the criteria for surgery. Some patients use GLP-1s before or after surgery to support additional weight loss.

Lifestyle Factors to Consider

  • Dietary and behavioral changes: Both treatments require healthy eating habits and long-term lifestyle changes. It's crucial to adhere to a structured diet plan after surgical procedures and eat balanced meals to support steady progress.
  • Personal preference: You might feel more comfortable with a non-surgical option, while others prefer a single procedure that offers long-lasting results.
  • Health goals: Your desired amount of weight loss and current health conditions play an important role in choosing the right option.
  • Support systems: You have a greater chance at maintaining your weight loss if you have support from healthcare providers, as both options require consistent follow-up.
  • Ongoing care: Surgery patients need regular check-ins to monitor nutrition and health changes. GLP-1 users need ongoing prescriptions and monitoring to adjust doses and manage side effects.

Weight Loss Solutions at Wood County Hospital

Choosing the right weight loss treatment begins with a conversation about your goals, health history and expectations. Your care team can help you understand the benefits and limitations of each option and guide you toward the treatment that best fits your needs.

At Wood County Hospital, our Center for Weight Loss Surgery offers medical and surgical weight loss solutions. To begin, sign up for a seminar or request an information packet. You can also call 1-877-705-2957 to speak with our bariatric surgery coordinator.