Obesity is one of the fastest-growing concerns today, with 1 billion obese people worldwide.[1] Hence, many people choose weight loss drugs and surgeries to eliminate excess body weight. There are new weight loss drugs on the market every day, the latest being tirzepatide. This has led to debates on topics like tirzepatide vs bariatric surgery. So, let’s read further to learn more about them.
Women Injecting a Drug Under Their Skin
What is Tirzepatide Drug?
Tirzepatide is a once-a-week subcutaneous injectable that suppresses hunger and results in weight loss.[2] The FDA recently approved this drug for Type 2 Diabetes in May 2022.[3]
However, in addition to anti-diabetic properties, this drug also has weight loss effects.[4] It was recently seen during a clinical trial that many people taking tirzepatide for obesity lost ~20% of their weight.
However, the manufacturer Eli Lilly currently has to go through three more trials before it becomes available for weight loss.
Source: BuzzFeed News[5]
Did you know?
The FDA has given tirzepatide Fast Track designation for reviewing it for treating excess weight. Hence, they will review & potentially approve it for weight loss sooner than any typical medication approval.[6]
Now, let’s have a look at its mechanism of action.
Tirzepatide: Mechanism of Action
GLP-1 and GIP are both gut hormones that are released after eating. Tirzepatide mimics these hormones by signaling the pancreas to release insulin after eating.
This further results in lowering your blood sugar. In addition to lowering blood sugar, tirzepatide also:
- Send signals to the brain that you’re full - so you eat less.
- Slows the movement of food through your stomach - so you feel full longer.
Source: StatPearls[7]
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows cells to absorb glucose from the blood.[8]
Tirzepatide: Mechanism of Action
Is Tirpezatide an Alternative To Bariatric Surgery?
To answer this question, let’s look at the cost, pros & cons, and long-term effects of the two:
Tirzepatide Cost vs Bariatric Surgery Cost
Since bariatric procedures and drugs are not usually covered by insurance, they can cost you a fortune! For instance, tirzepatide cost is estimated at $17,527 for its course of 72 weeks.[9]
While bariatric surgery ranges from $15,000 - $30,000, depending on the procedure and the patient’s condition.
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Lap Banding | $15,000 |
| Gastric Sleeve | $20,000 |
| Gastric Bypass | $25,000 |
| Duodenal Switch | $30,000 |
*These are estimated prices
However, with MTC, you can get affordable WLS abroad, in countries like Mexico, India, and Turkey, and save upto 50-80%.
Tirzepatide vs Bariatric Surgery: Pros & Cons
As with any other drug or major procedure, tirzepatide and WLS too have their own pros and cons.
Here's a list of pros and cons of tirzepatide drug:
- No surgery needed
- Significant weight loss
- Improves synthesis & degradation of fats
Source: PubMed[10]
- To be taken lifelong
- Serious allergic reactions
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Increased risk of thyroid tumors
- Acute pancreatitis & kidney injury
- Interferes with pregnancy & contraception
Source: NCBI[11], Yale[12]
Here are the pros and cons of weight loss surgery:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent weight loss | Rare cases of wound infections/bleeding |
| Lowers risk of death | Short-term breathing issues |
| Improves quality of life | Abdominal hernias (very rare) |
| Minimally invasive surgery | Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea |
| Long-term in nature | Rare chances of blood clots or ulcers |
| Reduction in medical comorbidities* | Second surgery may be needed in rare cases |
| *diabetes, HTN, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, etc. | |
Source: STFM[13], ScienceDirect[14], WebMD[15]
Tirzepatide vs Weight Loss Surgery: Longevity & Success
If we talk about the tirzepatide drug, it is known to help shed ~20% of body weight. However, it was seen during some research that if you stop taking tirzepatide, you might gain the weight back.
Hence, you would need to be on lifelong medications. Whereas, bariatric surgery provides long-term weight loss & helps to achieve your weight loss goals effectively.[16]
Pills vs Bariatric Surgery
Many people are now choosing medications & pills for weight loss over surgery. These drugs may help maximize the efficacy of your weight loss efforts, but they can't substitute for healthy habits.
Moreover, those opting for WLS drugs are likely to regain weight if they stop taking them. Hence, one would need to follow a healthy lifestyle and continue taking the medications.
Watch Our Surgeon's Expert Opinion on Diet Pills vs Weight Loss Surgery
Diet vs Bariatric Surgery
Many people prefer to lose weight by adopting weight-loss diets over bariatric surgery. When combined with other lifestyle changes like exercising, diet can result in substantial weight loss.
However, when compared with WLS, the diet-induced weight loss is not permanent.
Increased intake, weight regain, and reversion of the metabolic improvements may occur after some time.[17]
Weight loss management options can be tailored to individual patient preferences with discussion with a physician.
Dr. Carlos Cuenca
FAQs
According to the research, if you stop taking tirzepatide, you might gain weight back. Hence, you would need to be on lifelong medications.
Tirzepatide is a subcutaneous injectable that suppresses hunger and results in weight loss. To lose weight, tirzepatide is to be injected once a week, continuing for 72 weeks.[18]
With at least one obesity-related complication, patients with BMI between 30 & 35 kg/m² or higher can go for weight loss surgery.[19]
The bariatric surgery procedure is not painful as you are administered with anesthesia. However, while recovering, you may experience some pain.
But you need not worry as your surgeon will write you some pain medications and other prescriptions for that.
Source: Verywell Health[20]
Final Word
The weight-loss drugs are a non-surgical and zero-invasive option for weight loss. In addition to that, you can stop taking these medications at any time. Whereas most weight loss surgeries are irreversible with a fixed recovery time.
While diet, WLS pills, or exercise alone are harder to maintain over time. But, these lifestyle changes combined with bariatric surgery seem to have a great overall result.
References
1. WHO: World Obesity Day
2. GoodRx Health: Can Tirzepatide Help You Lose Weight?
3. NCBI: Tirzepatide
4. StatPearls: Tirzepatide
5. BuzzFeed News: These Weight Loss Drugs Seem Promising
6. Medical News: What is insulin?
7. PubMed: Tirzepatide versus semaglutide for weight loss
8. Yale Medicine: Can New Weight-Loss Drugs Really Treat Obesity?
9. STFM Journals: Bariatric Surgery
10. ScienceDirect: Minimally invasive management of obesity
11. WebMD: Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Surgery
12. UCSF.EDU: Permanent Weight Reduction & Improved Health
13. NCBI: Comparison of surgical versus diet‐induced weight loss
14. PubMed: Sleeve Gastrectomy
15. Verywell Health: Bariatric Surgery