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Bariatric surgery

Weight-loss surgery (such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) that alters the digestive system, often compared to GLP-1 medications as a treatment option.

Updated Sep 26, 2026

Bariatric surgery refers to surgical procedures, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, that reduce stomach size or alter digestion to produce significant, durable weight loss. It's often discussed alongside GLP-1 medications as an alternative or complementary option for obesity treatment. Surgery tends to produce larger and more durable weight loss but carries surgical risk. GLP-1 medications are non-invasive but require ongoing use to maintain results.

Source: NIDDK (external link).

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