JAMA Network JAMA Surgery : Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists Among Individuals Undergoing Bariatric Surgery in the US
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Aug 27, 2025 In this engaging discussion, G. Caleb Alexander, MD, MS, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Hemalkumar B. Mehta, MS, PhD, dive into the burgeoning use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists among bariatric surgery patients. They reveal that 14% of these patients initiate GLP-1 therapy due to insufficient weight loss, highlighting prescription trends and the evolving guidelines in this field. The conversation also emphasizes the vital need for better communication between patients and physicians about weight management post-surgery.
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Social Media Sparked The Research
- The authors noticed social media stories of post-surgery patients turning to GLP-1s for regained or insufficient weight loss.
- This observation motivated their study due to lack of rigorous scientific evidence on the topic.
Postoperative Weight Regain Is Common
- Many patients have suboptimal weight loss or regain after bariatric surgery, creating demand for additional treatments.
- The authors used a data set excluding preoperative GLP-1 users to rigorously characterize post-surgery GLP-1 initiation.
GLP-1 Use Is Growing After Surgery
- About 14% of patients initiated GLP-1s at any time after surgery, and ~10% within five years.
- Initiation related to higher baseline BMI and less weight loss after surgery, showing targeted use for perceived insufficient outcomes.