Weight Loss Medication vs Surgery: Which option is right for me?
Now more than ever, there are lots of options out there to help you lose weight. Obesity can contribute to many health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes that can significantly affect your quality of life. We see on the news and social media popular diet and exercise plans, medications, as well as weight loss surgery. But how do you decide what option is right for you?
This is a very common question I am asked in Beebe’s Center for Weight Loss Surgery. With all of these options, you want to find a physician who is well versed in both medications and surgical options. The first thing I like to do is perform a complete history of someone’s weight and try to identify the root cause or multiple causes. Then, we pick the right tool to treat the patient long term because obesity is a chronic disease.
Understanding Weight Loss Medications
Medications are a great tool for those who are overweight or have obesity with little to no medical issues. I would start by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index), which is simply a calculation of your height and weight. If your BMI is between 27 and 30 with a medical comorbidity such as diabetes or high blood pressure, losing weight can significantly improve your overall treatment plan. Patients with this BMI range need to lose 20 to 40 pounds. More insurance carriers are covering the medication, and it’s easy to begin.
I also recommend starting weight loss medication if your BMI is 30-35 even without a comorbidity. There are multiple medications to choose from with different strength and side effect profiles. I start with a low dose and gradually increase it until we find the optimal strength for each individual patient.
Other Considerations
Some of the cons of weight loss medications include:
- Multiple gastrointestinal side effects
- Medications need to be continued long term, or there is a risk of gaining back the weight.
- They can be very expensive if insurance doesn’t cover them.
- If your BMI is over 35, you may not experience the results most patients are looking for.
Bariatric Surgery is Most Effective Tool
Weight loss surgery is by far the strongest tool we have for fighting obesity. It is more cost effective and a better long-term tool than weight loss medicine, which is why insurance covers it. We begin to think about surgery when your BMI is 35-40 with a single comorbidity or if your BMI is greater than 40. Surgery requires a one-night stay in the hospital and patients are usually back to work within two weeks.
A downside to surgery is that it does take some prep time, around three months before actually getting surgery. It requires you to have anesthesia and an actual procedure instead of taking medication. There are also surgical complications that are rare but will be discussed by your doctor.
Making the Choice
Making the choice between medications or surgery is a personal decision made by the patient with support from the physician. It is important to note that you do not have to choose one or the other, and medications can also be used with surgical treatment. Obesity is a chronic disease and as treatment options improve, so has its management. Making that first step with a consultation to discuss your options will help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
About Dr. Manieri Dr. Manieri practices at the Beebe Center for Weight Loss Surgery, located in Georgetown. Patients who opt to pursue bariatric surgery undergo an extensive planning and preparation process, often taking place over a period of several months. Following surgery, bariatric patients continue seeing their surgeon on a regular basis for approximately one year, and sometimes even longer. Dr. Manieri values the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and bond with his patients, as these processes take place. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
