Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug used for weight loss and weight management. It may be a treatment option for some people who have had gastric sleeve surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery, also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of bariatric surgery to permanently remove a large section of the stomach.
This surgery helps you lose weight by reducing the amount of food the stomach holds and affecting hormones relating to appetite and metabolism.
However, it’s possible to regain weight after gastric sleeve surgery. In some cases, a person may not lose sufficient weight after surgery.
Weight loss drugs such as Wegovy may be an option for supporting weight loss after bariatric surgery.
This article looks at using Wegovy after gastric sleeve surgery, how effective it may be for weight loss, and how it compares with other weight loss drugs in someone with a gastric sleeve.
Wegovy may be an effective option to help people with a gastric sleeve lose more weight or maintain weight loss after surgery, but more research is needed in this area.
Your doctor may prescribe Wegovy after gastric sleeve surgery if you’re regaining weight or haven’t lost a sufficient amount of weight.
Losing weight
According to a
The study looked at the effects of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) when used weekly for weight loss in a small number of people who had undergone gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass.
After 6 months of semaglutide treatment, weight loss for 20 participants in the study was as follows:
- 85% had lost more than 5% of their body weight
- 45% had a weight loss of more than 10% of their body weight
- 5% had a weight loss of more than 15% of their body weight
The researchers noted that a larger, randomized controlled trial is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss after bariatric surgery.
A small-scale
After 24 weeks of semaglutide treatment, both groups lost a similar percentage of body weight.
The average weight loss for all participants was 9.1%, with 9.8% weight loss in people who had bariatric surgery.
The researchers noted that longer follow-up studies are necessary to fully analyze the effects of semaglutide treatment in people who’ve had bariatric surgery, and to determine how long weight loss results may last.
Besides Wegovy, other drugs you may use for weight loss with a gastric sleeve include semaglutide (Ozempic) and liraglutide (Saxenda).
Wegovy and Saxenda are both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for weight loss and weight management. Ozempic is FDA approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Although it may cause weight loss, it’s not approved for this use. But some doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
A
The study included 207 adults who had regained weight after having bariatric surgery. Half the participants had had gastric sleeve surgery. Participants received either 1 mg of semaglutide weekly or 3 mg of liraglutide daily.
After 12 months of treatment:
- people receiving semaglutide had lost an average of 12.9% of their body weight
- people receiving liraglutide had lost an average of 8.8% of their body weight
The best drug for weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery may depend on individual risk factors, possible side effects of the medication, and any other health conditions you may have. You can talk with your doctor to help determine what the best treatment option may be for you.
Wegovy may be an effective treatment for weight loss or weight management after gastric sleeve surgery in some cases. This includes if you’re regaining weight or didn’t lose enough weight after surgery. It may also help prevent the need for another weight loss surgery.
Research suggests that semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) may be more effective for weight loss after bariatric surgery compared with liraglutide (Saxenda).
If you’re considering weight loss medication following gastric sleeve surgery, you can discuss options with your doctor. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you and talk through any potential risks or side effects. They can also tell you about any additional diet and lifestyle changes you should make to help support weight loss.
