A prescription medication called Wegovy (semaglutide) is used for weight loss and management. For certain patients who have had gastric sleeve surgery, it can be a therapy choice.
A type of bariatric surgery called gastric sleeve surgery, also known as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, removes a major portion of the stomach permanently.
By lowering stomach capacity and altering hormones linked to hunger and metabolism, this procedure aids in weight loss.
After gastric sleeve surgery, weight gain is conceivable. After surgery, a patient may not always shed enough weight.
After bariatric surgery, weight reduction medications like Wegovy may be an option to support weight loss.
This article examines the use of Wegovy following gastric sleeve surgery, its potential efficacy for weight loss, and how it stacks up against other weight-loss medications for gastric sleeve patients.
Is Wegovy effective after having gastric sleeve surgery?
Although further research is required, Segovia may be a useful tool for helping patients with gastric sleeves lose more weight or keep it off after surgery.
If you’re gaining weight following gastric sleeve surgery or haven’t lost enough weight, your doctor might prescribe Wegovy.
Type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are among the obesity-related medical disorders that weight loss may help address.
A 2022 study found that 20% to 25% of patients who undergo bariatric surgery either significantly regain weight or experience insufficient weight loss.
The study examined the benefits of weekly usage of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, for weight loss in a small group of patients who had undergone gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery.
Following a 6-month course of semaglutide medication, the following weight loss was observed in 20 trial participants:
- Over 5% of the participants have experienced weight loss.
- More than 10% of their body weight was lost by 45% of the participants.
- Five percent lost more than fifteen percent of their body weight.
The investigators pointed out that to completely comprehend the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss following bariatric surgery, a bigger, randomized controlled trial is required.
In a small-scale trial published in 2023, the benefits of semaglutide on weight loss for severe obesity were compared between patients who had bariatric surgery and those who had not.
Both groups experienced a comparable proportion of body weight loss following a 24-week semaglutide treatment.
All participants lost weight on average by 9.1%, with those who underwent bariatric surgery losing weight on average by 9.8%.
Longer follow-up studies are required, according to the researchers, to thoroughly examine the effects of semaglutide medication in bariatric surgery patients and ascertain the potential duration of weight loss outcomes.
In terms of weight loss medications, how does Wegovy stack up for someone who has a gastric sleeve?
In addition to Wegovy, other medications that you might use in conjunction with a gastric sleeve for weight loss are liraglutide (Saxenda) and liraglutide (Ozempic).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Wegovy and Saxenda for weight loss and weight management. The FDA has approved Ozempic to assist in type 2 diabetes patients’ blood sugar management. It’s not recommended for this use even if it might help people lose weight. For weight loss, however, some physicians might give Ozempic off-label. (Off-label use is when a doctor prescribes a medication for a use that is not authorized by the FDA.)
Semaglutide and liraglutide’s efficacies in aiding post-bariatric surgery weight loss were examined in a 2023 study.
207 adults who had undergone bariatric surgery and had gained weight were included in the study. There were half that had undergone gastric sleeve surgery. Either 1 mg of liraglutide or 3 mg of liraglutide per day was administered to the participants.
Following a year of therapy:
- Individuals on semaglutide had shed 12.9% of their total body weight on average.
- Individuals on liraglutide had shed 8.8% of their body weight on average.
The ideal medicine for weight loss following gastric sleeve surgery may vary depending on your personal risk factors, potential pharmaceutical side effects, and any additional medical issues you may have. To find out what the best course of action might be for you, consult with your doctor.
Summary
In certain circumstances, Segovia may be a useful weight-loss or weight-management strategy following gastric sleeve surgery. This includes if, following surgery, you are gaining weight again or did not drop enough weight. Additionally, it might lessen the need for additional weight-loss surgery.
Studies indicate that semaglutide, the active component of Wegovy, may be a better weight-loss medication following bariatric surgery than liraglutide (Saxenda).
You can talk to your doctor about your alternatives if you’re thinking about using weight reduction medication after gastric sleeve surgery. They can discuss any possible dangers or side effects with you and assist in determining the best course of action for you. They can also advise you on any extra dietary and lifestyle adjustments that will help you lose weight.