Thinking about taking a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic or Wegovy before weight loss surgery? A new analysis of 13 studies involving more than 5,400 patients offers some answers.
The good news: people who used these medications before surgery lost a modest amount of extra weight beforehand. On average, they dropped about 4.9 kilograms (10.8 pounds) compared to 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) in those who didn't take the drugs. That's a small but real head start.
However, the advantage didn't last. After surgery, total weight loss was about the same whether or not patients had taken GLP-1 drugs beforehand. The analysis also found no significant increase in postoperative complications and no meaningful improvement in diabetes or other obesity-related conditions.
It's important to note that this is a meta-analysis of existing studies, not a single large trial. The results suggest a modest preoperative benefit but no lasting edge. Talk to your surgeon about whether these drugs are right for your specific situation.