Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jan 2023)

Pharmacologic management of weight regain following bariatric surgery

  • Eugene Lucas,
  • Okeefe Simmons,
  • Beverly Tchang,
  • Louis Aronne

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1043595
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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While bariatric surgery restults in significant long-term weight loss for most patients with obesity, post-surgical weight gain affects a considerable percentage of patients to varying degrees of severity. Furthermore, a small but significant percentage of patients experience inadequate post-surgical weight loss. Although many studies have examined the role of anti-obesity medications to address post-operative weight regain, an evidence-based consensus has not yet been achieved because of the heterogeneity of populations studied and the studies themselves. Observational studies in the post-bariatric surgery population consistently demonstrate the benefit of medical weight management after bariatric surgery, with most evidence highlighting liraglutide, topiramate, and phentermine/topiramate. New anti-obesity medications are anticipated to be helpful for post-surgical weight optimization given their efficacy in the non-surgical population.

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