Research conducted by Monash University and Alfred Health indicates that the weight loss medication liraglutide may significantly enhance outcomes for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, demonstrates that patients who took liraglutide after surgery experienced greater weight loss than those on a placebo, providing a potential alternative to follow-up surgical procedures.
Approximately 31 percent of adults in Australia struggle with obesity, and while Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (MBS) is considered the most effective treatment, around 10-15 percent of patients do not achieve optimal weight loss. These individuals may face weight regain, and prior to this study, the only option to address further weight loss was additional surgery, which carries a 4-5 times higher risk of serious complications.
The research aimed to assess whether combining surgery with obesity management medications (OMM) could assist those who need to lose more weight post-surgery. The study involved a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 48 adults who had undergone various bariatric procedures, including Adjustable Gastric Band (AGB), Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.
Participants were divided into two groups; one group received daily doses of liraglutide for 12 months, while the other group received a placebo. At the end of the study, those taking liraglutide achieved a mean total body weight loss (TBWL) of 4.4 percent, contrasting with a 1.4 percent increase in the placebo group. Notably, there were no adverse health effects or declines in quality of life reported among participants.
Professor Wendy Brown, who leads the Monash University Department of Surgery and serves as Director of The Alfred’s Oesophago-Gastric-Bariatric Unit, noted that the findings are promising. “We have shown that for people who regain weight or do not achieve optimal weight loss after bariatric surgery, adding a weight loss drug can assist them in shedding pounds, often at a lower dose than is typically required for those who have not undergone surgery,” she stated.
The study’s joint senior author, Professor John Wentworth, an adult endocrinologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, expressed optimism about the results. “Our demonstration that incretin drugs enhance weight loss following bariatric surgery provides great hope,” he commented, adding that newer and more effective medications could lead to improved weight and health outcomes for patients.
Co-author Dr. Paul Burton, from Monash University’s School of Translational Medicine, highlighted that while MBS facilitates long-term weight loss and improves obesity-related health issues, up to 15 percent of patients still experience sub-optimal results. He emphasized the importance of a multimodal approach to obesity management, advocating for personalized treatment strategies that integrate surgical expertise, medication, lifestyle changes, and ongoing support.
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have indicated a potential role for such medications in enhancing weight loss for patients who do not achieve desired outcomes post-surgery. The current research suggests that combining therapies may also allow for less invasive procedures, such as AGB, to be reconsidered as viable options for weight management.
This study underscores the potential for innovative treatment strategies in addressing obesity, a chronic condition that requires ongoing management rather than a singular solution. As healthcare professionals continue to explore effective approaches, the findings support a long-term strategy that prioritizes patient-centered care and lifestyle adherence.
