Weekly injections of anti-obesity medications cost more than surgery

The cost of taking weekly injections of popular anti-obesity medications liraglutide (Saxenda) or semaglutide (Wegovy) exceeds that of metabolic and bariatric surgery in less than a year, according to a recent analysis published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy. Researchers from USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, FL compared the cumulative cost of pharmacotherapy with GLP-1 agonists to onetime surgical procedures, sleeve gastrectomy and Rou-en-Y gastric bypass, providing important new insights into cost considerations surrounding surgical and drug treatment of obesity.

“Bariatric surgery offers a more permanent and rapid resolution to obesity and metabolic syndrome, with cost-saving benefits in the long-term,” the researchers wrote. “Bariatric has consistently demonstrated a significant reduction in the use and cost of medications post-bariatric surgery, a decrease in clinic and emergency room visits, and a decreased all-cause mortality, which contributes to a significant cost-saving.”

Studies consistently show the efficacy of metabolic surgery in achieving long-term diabetes remission and substantial weight loss, far surpassing results achieved with medical management or diets and exercise alone. This not only results in better health, but in significant cost savings too — yet another reason for patients to consider surgery and insurers to expand access to the gold standard of obesity treatment.”

Ann M. Rogers, MD, ACS FASMBS, President, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

The ASMBS reports that in 2022 nearly 280,000 metabolic and bariatric procedures were performed in the U.S., which represents only about 1% of those who meet eligibility requirements based on BMI. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. obesity rate is about 40%. Severe obesity affects about 1 in 10.