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Role of GLP1-RA in Optimizing Weight Loss Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obes Surg · 2024

Last updated 2026-05-28

A review of three clinical trials with 130 patients found that adding GLP1-RA drugs, such as liraglutide at doses of 1.8 to 3 milligrams, helped people lose more weight after bariatric surgery over six months compared to a placebo. The treatment lowered both body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of body weight lost.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalObes Surg, 2024
Citations11
Relative citation ratio2.52
NIH percentile80
Molecules
Conditions studied Obesity

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is a widely used intervention for significant weight loss, yet some patients face challenges with insufficient weight loss or weight regain post-surgery. To address this issue, adjunctive treatments like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) are being explored for their potential to enhance weight loss outcomes. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of GLP1-RAs in improving weight loss after bariatric surgery compared to a placebo. By systematically reviewing and analyzing data from three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 130 patients, we found that GLP1-RA therapy, particularly liraglutide (1.8-3 mg), significantly reduced mean BMI and body weight percentage at six months. Future studies should explore newer GLP1-RAs with weekly dosing and include longer follow-up periods to assess the durability of these outcomes.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 39215779 ↗