According to a new study from Mayo Clinic, both bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications used for weight management improve cardiovascular health. However, surgical intervention is associated with a significantly more effective reduction in long-term risks.
The study, published in Annals of Surgery, directly compares the two leading methods of obesity treatment. The study involved 812 overweight adults, of whom 579 underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery, while 233 received GLP-1 drugs.
The results showed that after surgical intervention, patients’ lifetime risk of developing cardiovascular disease decreased by 8.6%, whereas for medical treatment, this figure was only 1.7%.
A significant difference was also recorded in terms of weight loss. Post-surgery, patients lost an average of 28% of their body mass, compared to approximately 11% in the medication group.
According to Mayo Clinic researcher Wissam Ghusn, both methods are effective, but surgery yields better long-term results as it leads to more substantial and stable weight loss.
Obesity is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Doctors state that obesity treatment should be viewed as a strategy for reducing cardiovascular risks rather than just a weight-loss process.
Scientists emphasize that these approaches should not be seen as competitors. Both methods play an important role, and choosing the best option depends on the patient’s individual medical needs.
The authors note that the study results will help physicians consider surgery as a primary choice for some patients rather than a last resort. However, additional, longer-term observation is needed to evaluate the final clinical picture.
