Obesity Treatment Resources

Approximately 40% of US adults are categorized as overweight; another 40% have obesity, and half of those have severe obesity. The popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs has exploded in recent years, leaving many patients with questions about treatment options. While there is a growing perception that weight loss drugs alone are now the optimal treatment for obesity, experts often recommend a tandem approach where the two could be used as complementary treatments.

By the Numbers

• Only 1% of eligible patients undergo bariatric surgery.
• Only 2.3% of eligible patients are on GLP-1s.

Bariatric Surgery

• Patients see a 6–9 year increase in life expectancy.
• Up to 50% of excess weight loss maintained at 5 years.
• Disease remission rates:
  • Sleep apnea: 96%
  • Type 2 diabetes: 92%
  • Hypertension: 75% 

GLP-1 Drugs

• About 12% of Americans report having used a GLP-1 drug, including 6% who say they are currently being treated with them.
• An estimated 50–75% of users stop taking these drugs within one year. 
• Weight loss (real-world): On average, 11.9% of body weight.

Resources for Patients

Visit the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery to find resources and information on everything related to metabolic and bariatric surgery conditions and procedures.

JAMA has information about what patients should know regarding obesity medication options.

When in doubt, ask your doctor for more information about bariatric surgery and GLP-1s, and don't hesitate to ask for a referral to a physician who specializes in obesity medicine. 

Resources for Media Members

Experts from the ACS are available to discuss the benefits and barriers of medication and surgical treatment of obesity, the importance of viewing obesity as a disease, and common questions patients have when considering what treatment is right for them.

Please contact pressinquiry@facs.org to schedule an interview.

Find an Accredited Bariatric & Weight Loss Surgery Center

Use the ACS Find a Hospital tool to find high-quality bariatric care at an ACS Surgical Quality Partner center accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

MBSAQIP makes sure weight-loss surgery centers meet high safety and care standards. MBSAQIP aims to lower the number of complications after surgery.

References

• CDC: Adults Obesity Facts
• ASMBS: New Study Shows Long-term Effectiveness of Gastric Bypass in Treating Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
• JAMA: Uptake of and Disparities in Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Prescribing for Obesity in the US
• The Lancet: Association of metabolic–bariatric surgery with long-term survival in adults with and without diabetes: a one-stage meta-analysis of matched cohort and prospective controlled studies with 174 772 participants
• ASMBS: Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• KFF: Poll: 1 in 8 Adults Say They’ve Taken a GLP-1 Drug, Including 4 in 10 of Those with Diabetes and 1 in 4 of Those with Heart Disease 
• JAMA: GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Discontinuation Among Patients With Obesity and/or Type 2 Diabetes
• Cleveland Clinic: Cleveland Clinic Research Finds Injectable Medications for Obesity Produce Smaller Weight Loss in A Real-World Setting, Compared to Randomized Clinical Trials