Weight loss shots replacing surgery?

ScaleHater_1985

ScaleHater_1985

Well-known member
I'm a nurse, and I'm seeing something pretty significant at my job. The bariatric surgeon I assist, who used to do primarily gastric sleeves and bypasses, has drastically reduced those operations over the last year. The reason? Weight loss injections like semaglutide and tirzepatide are showing amazing results.

The demand for surgery has plummeted so much that he's basically stopped performing them. It's crazy to see such a dramatic change in obesity treatment happening right before my eyes because of these meds.

It's inspiring to see patients achieving success through less invasive options, but it really underscores how much these medications are reshaping bariatric care. Is anyone else noticing similar trends in their practices? Or has anyone here changed their mind on surgery because of semaglutide?
 
I seriously thought about getting surgery, but I backed out once I heard more about the potential complications, like addiction transfer.

My ADHD meds gave me a *hint* of what life could be like without constant food cravings, but it faded later in the day. I didn't realize people could live without that 'food noise' until then.

Now that I'm on a GLP-1, food is just... fuel. I eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm full, and don't obsess about it until the next meal. It's absolutely mind-blowing.
 
As someone who had bariatric surgery, I really wish these meds were around back in 2017! I'm getting much better results with semaglutide than I ever did after my surgery.
 
I'm a patient, and I can vouch for this. I went for a bariatric surgery consultation, but my doc suggested trying semaglutide first. I'm down 80 lbs after two years, and I'm so grateful he steered me in this direction. He was truly looking out for my best interests.
 
I saw a post on a medical site recently claiming surgery was cheaper—like $23,000 compared to $12,000 per year for the meds.

They didn't even mention the possible long-term effects of surgery.

Didn't convince me.
 
When I saw my endocrinologist, I had to choose between surgery and injections. The downsides of the injections were that they weren't covered by insurance for weight loss in my country, and I was told that it was a *long-term* medication. Meaning, the effects would probably stop if I quit taking it.

I picked the injections because I have young kids and surgery seems like a "last resort" to me.
 
I thought hard about surgery because my mom had it when I was younger. I chose the injection route mostly because I know the surgery relapse rates are higher, plus my mom had a HORRIBLE recovery. The biggest thing was that a lot of my safe foods would be off the table after surgery, and I already have such a restricted diet. Wegovy has stopped my brain from constantly thinking about food, and it's helping me lose weight with my metformin, which is nearly impossible with my PCOS.
 
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about 15 years ago. I've been on biologics, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and steroids on and off.

Nothing, and I mean *nothing*, has helped me as much as semaglutide. I'm on a low dose, and I can feel the aches and pain coming back the night before my shot. After the shot, I feel better within hours. My life has completely changed. I haven't gone this long without considering steroids for pain in 15 years.

I'm really trying to get my rheumatologist to look into its potential for autoimmune diseases. He supports me being on it, but he won't prescribe it because it's not indicated for that, and I'm not obese.

I agree it's a revolution. It's good for way more than just weight loss.
 
I had gastric sleeve surgery in 2020. If I'd had access to semaglutide back then, I wouldn't have gone through with the surgery, honestly.

I'm still happy with my decision, though. The sleeve got me from 312 to 200, and semaglutide took me from 200 down to 130.
 
I'm not in the medical field, but I've had some unexpected side effects. I wonder if anyone else has experienced these:

1) My interest in alcohol has tanked. I know others have said the same. It was stronger when I started (I wouldn't even finish a drink) than now that I've been on it for nine months, but I certainly can't drink much.

2) Binging and purging have basically stopped. After 30 years of borderline bulimia, this is HUGE.

3) The biggest thing for me is that it's fixed chronic bowel/rectal issues that I've had for about 25 years. I've had terrible pain, itching, and fissures (not weight-related as it started when I was not overweight) that no doctor could treat or figure out. Combined with IBS, it's been life-ruining. Wegovy has eliminated this by 90-95%. My doctor thinks it's from reduced inflammation. It feels like a miracle, and the idea of losing coverage when I reach my goal weight scares me.
 
I'm an LPN. The metabolic center I used to work at cut staff, which is good because we had a two-year waiting list five years ago. People were calling, crying, thinking they were dying and that the surgery was their only hope. I'm glad there are other options now.
 
I saw something that made me think of this thread. Bernie Sanders is going after the high cost of Ozempic! It's not just Ozempic though; it's all meds that are too expensive. This is a lifesaver for so many people. I hope he can actually make a difference because Big Pharma is way too powerful here.
 
I feel that. [@Wild_Dad] I'm insulin resistant with PCOS, and a low dose of semaglutide is the only thing that's helped me in 17 years of constant dieting and exercise. It's $950 every six to eight weeks, which is awful, but it works. Nothing else has, even with my endocrinologist throwing every pill, solution, nutritionist, and trainer at me. I put in the effort, but had no results until semaglutide.
 
I wonder if politicians are thinking about what will happen with compounding pharmacies. I read something about new FDA regulations potentially affecting compounding pharmacies and prices a while back. I hope it doesn't make things worse for access.
 
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