Medical Minute: Weight Loss Medication and Surgery

With the increasing buzz around weight loss drugs like Ozempic, many individuals are left wondering whether medication or bariatric surgery is the right choice for their weight loss journey. 

Tom Sonnanstine, MD, medical director of bariatric surgery with OhioHealth, said both treatments can be highly effective depending on individual circumstances.

Ozempic is in a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists. "This is a pretty new class of medication that's been approved by the FDA recently and has really gained in popularity over the past year and a half,” Dr. Sonnanstine said. More patients are asking their doctor about these medications and many have already started using them, he said.

When it comes to deciding between medication and bariatric surgery, there is considerable overlap in the patient profiles for both treatments. 

"We really treat the same group of patients, but we like to tailor that treatment based on their needs, whether that's their size and their weight, the medical problems that they have that are related to their obesity and of course, whatever their motivations are," Dr. Sonnanstine said. 

The decision depends on a personalized approach that considers the patient's specific circumstances and preferences. For some, bariatric surgery might be the best fit.

“There are pretty standard parameters for who qualifies for bariatric surgery,” Dr. Sonnanstine said. These criteria have been established for over three decades and typically include individuals who are morbidly obese. "That's having a BMI or body mass index of 40 or greater, or 30 to 35 or greater if they have the presence of high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease.”

Whether opting for the new medications or considering bariatric surgery, the choice should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional who can tailor the treatment to the patient's unique needs. 

To learn more about OhioHealth’s Weight Management programs, click here.