Overview
- At the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery meeting on Tuesday, UC San Diego researchers reported GLP-1 prescriptions jumped from under 4,600 in 2018 to over 1.4 million in 2025, while surgeries fell in 2024 and 2025.
- A real-world review of 30 studies found surgery produced more than 20% greater 12-month weight loss and higher remission of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol than GLP-1 therapy.
- NYU Grossman data showed patients who used semaglutide or tirzepatide before an operation lost about 8% before surgery and then more than 25% after gastric bypass or about 20% after sleeve gastrectomy.
- Rice University research found people judge GLP-1 users more harshly than those who lost weight through diet and exercise or did not lose weight, highlighting stigma that can shape care choices.
- Rising drug use is changing daily life as restaurants test smaller, higher-protein portions and prices, yet the vast majority of people with severe obesity still receive no treatment because of cost, access, and coverage barriers.