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Preoperative Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Bariatric Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Obes Surg · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

A review of 11 studies found that taking GLP-1 drugs before weight-loss surgery helped patients lose weight earlier, but it also increased nausea after surgery. These drugs did not change the rates of major complications or hospital readmissions. Some studies reported better blood sugar control and higher rates of surgical adhesion, but results on long-term weight loss after surgery were mixed.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalObes Surg, 2025
Citations3
Molecules
Conditions studied Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review existing evidence on the preoperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) before metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched systematically with relevant keywords for articles on the effect of preoperative GLP-1 RA use on MBS outcomes. Eleven observational studies evaluated the effects of preoperative GLP-1 RAs. GLP-1 RAs enhance preoperative weight loss with earlier optimization for MBS. Preoperative use of these agents were associated with increased postoperative nausea but showed no significant differences in the rate of major complications or readmissions. Benefits included improved diabetes outcomes, although findings on postoperative weight loss were inconsistent, and some studies reported higher surgical adhesion rates. More robust evidence is needed to guide the incorporation of GLP-1 RAs into preoperative pathways for MBS.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 40782272 ↗