Alternatives To Weight Loss Surgery


We understand that undergoing weight loss surgery is a big step. It’s a step that shouldn’t be made without careful consideration. Many patients worry what happens if they get bariatric surgery and don’t see results? Then what? So to keep it available as a final option, many who would benefit from bariatric surgery seek alternatives.

You should be confident in your decision to undergo surgery. If you’re interested in exploring alternatives, we’re here to help.

There are several alternatives to bariatric surgery for patients seeking significant weight loss. These options generally focus on lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and non-surgical procedures.

One of the primary alternatives is intensive lifestyle modification. This approach typically involves a combination of dietary changes, increased physical activity, and behavioral therapy. Patients work with dietitians to develop personalized meal plans that create a calorie deficit while ensuring proper nutrition. Exercise physiologists help design appropriate fitness regimens that progressively increase in intensity. Cognitive-behavioral therapy aids in addressing emotional eating patterns and developing coping strategies for long-term success.

Medical management is another alternative, which may include prescription medications to suppress appetite or reduce fat absorption. Some commonly prescribed drugs include phentermine, liraglutide, and orlistat. These medications can be effective in conjunction with lifestyle changes, but they often have side effects and may not be suitable for all patients. Additionally, newer injectable medications like semaglutide have shown promising results for weight loss in clinical trials.

The success rates of non-surgical alternatives to bariatric surgery vary widely depending on the method used, the individual's commitment, and how success is defined. Here's an overview of the effectiveness of some common alternatives:

Lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) typically show modest results when used alone. On average, patients can expect to lose about 5-10% of their initial body weight over 6-12 months. However, long-term maintenance of this weight loss can be challenging, with many individuals regaining weight over time. Studies suggest that only about 20% of people maintain significant weight loss (defined as losing at least 10% of initial body weight) for more than a year through lifestyle changes alone.

Medically supervised very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) can lead to more dramatic short-term weight loss, with patients losing up to 15-25% of their initial weight over 3-6 months. However, weight regain is common once normal eating resumes, with many patients regaining 50% or more of lost weight within 1-2 years.

Prescription weight loss medications show varying degrees of effectiveness:

  • Phentermine typically results in 5-10% weight loss over 6-12 months.
  • Orlistat users average about 6-10% weight loss over a year.
  • Liraglutide (Saxenda) leads to an average of 5-10% weight loss in 56% of patients after one year.
  • Semaglutide (Wegovy) has shown more promising results, with patients losing an average of 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks in clinical trials.

It's important to note that these success rates are generally lower than those seen with bariatric surgery, which can result in 25-35% weight loss or more, often maintained for several years.