A recent study conducted by researchers in New York City has found that bariatric surgery, a one-off weight-loss treatment dating back to the 1950s, is significantly more effective in shedding pounds compared to drugs like Ozempic.

The study compared weight loss outcomes of over 50,000 obese patients who either underwent bariatric surgery or took Ozempic-like medications.

Results showed that patients who had surgery lost an average of 58 pounds in two years, nearly a quarter of their weight, while those on GLP-1 drugs lost just seven percent on average, or less than 20 pounds.

Researchers suggested that the lower effectiveness of weight loss drugs could be attributed to up to 70 percent of patients discontinuing treatment due to side effects or unsatisfactory results.

They advised individuals considering weight loss drugs to manage their expectations accordingly.

Another study revealed that individuals who underwent bariatric surgery were up to 18 percent less likely to develop psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and substance abuse.

About 40 million Americans and 500,000 Brits have reported using weight loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy at some point in their lives, with their popularity increasing by 600 percent since 2019.

On the other hand, 300,000 Americans and 7,000 Brits undergo weight loss surgery each year, which involves altering the stomach size or digestive system to promote weight loss.

Both studies were presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington DC.

The first study analyzed 51,085 patients from NYU Langone Health and NYC Health + Hospitals who underwent bariatric surgery or were prescribed semaglutide or tirzepatide, the active ingredients in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro between 2018 and 2024.

Over a two-year period, surgical patients lost an average of 58 pounds, while those on GLP-1 drugs lost 12 pounds after six months and seven percent of their body weight after a year.

The second study, conducted by researchers at Tulane University in Louisiana, compared 33,600 patients who had bariatric surgery with 33,600 individuals prescribed GLP-1 medications over five years.

Results showed that surgery patients were less likely to develop cognitive deficits, anxiety, and substance abuse issues compared to those on weight loss drugs.

Researchers emphasized the need for further investigation to understand the differences in psychological impact between the two treatment modalities.