Weight Loss Team

Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery works better than Ozempic?

Nov 20, 2023 @ 06:32 PM — by Gerald Witt
Tagged with: Gastric Sleeve

As a person who battles obesity either with or without type 2 diabetes, it's probable that you've tried and failed with a number of diets and fitness regimens in an effort to reduce your weight and improve your blood sugar regulation. Unfortunately, once a certain threshold is reached, it is very difficult to maintain a healthy blood glucose level and lose weight with lifestyle modifications alone. However, Ozempic and gastric sleeve surgery are two enticing possibilities that modern medicine today offers to provide much-needed aid. For long-term weight loss and diabetes remission, gastric sleeve surgery is the better option, even though Ozempic may appear like a more enticing non-surgical option.  Today many patients that are non-type 2 diabetics are turning to monthly injections with the hope of a magic pill miracle drug that results in easy weight loss.  What they do not understand it the risks involved with the Ozempic injections and the long-term reliance on this drug.

When evaluating the efficacy of gastric sleeve surgery and the medication Ozempic, it is crucial to consider the unique circumstances and medical requirements of every patient. A surgical treatment called gastric sleeve surgery, sometimes referred to as sleeve gastrectomy or VSG surgery, involves shrinking the size of the stomach by about 80% in order to aid with weight loss. Conversely, Ozempic is a drug that lowers blood sugar levels in order to cure type 2 diabetes and has a side effect that causes some weight loss. While Ozempic and gastric sleeve surgery both help people lose weight and achieve better health outcomes, only the gastric sleeve delivers a long term solution that does not place the patient in a long term reliance situation on a drug that is known to have harmed patients.

Why Gastric Sleeve Surgery Is More Effective Than Ozempic Long Term:

While Ozempic and gastric sleeve surgery have both shown promise in aiding in weight loss, there are a number of indications that, in the long run, gastric sleeve surgery may produce more noteworthy and long-lasting outcomes. In addition to addressing calorie restriction, the surgical treatment affects hormonal changes that are linked to the regulation of appetite. Gastric sleeve surgery reduces stomach size, which encourages feelings of fullness with smaller servings and lowers calorie intake.  The gastric sleeve surgery, also removes the section of the stomach that creates the hunger hormone known as ghrelin and this also helps the patient lose weight without having the sensation of hunger.

On the other hand, Ozempic works by imitating hormones that control blood sugar levels and decrease hunger. Although some people find it helpful in controlling their diabetes and losing weight, its results may not be the same for everyone. Furthermore, a medication's ability to help with long-term weight management may be diminished by stopping it or by not taking it as prescribed.  There are also known side effects of Ozempic that has caused some patients to have kidney failure and end up in the ICU as well as other health problems that result in long term medical care.  You really should make sure a medication is the right one for you when it is being taken for something that it was not designed for.  Ozempic was designed to help patients with type 2 diabetes, not solely for weight loss and if you take medications that are not designed for your specific treatment you may end up causing yourself more harm then good. 

When using the Ozempic injections as a stand-alone strategy, gastric sleeve surgery seems to offer a potentially more robust and sustainable method for patients seeking long-term weight loss goals, based on current research and clinical evidence.

Amount of Weight Loss:

Compared to Ozempic, Gastric Sleeve Surgery usually results in higher weight loss. Within 12 to 18 months, the patient should lose 65 to 80% of their extra body weight, although Ozempic may lessen weight loss by 10 to 20% in the same time frame. Studies indicate that patients who have gastric sleeve surgery typically lose a significant amount of weight as a result of the procedure. A number of variables, including pre-surgery weight, following post-operative instructions, and individual metabolic variations, might affect how much weight is lost.  The gastric sleeve also provides you with a long term solution without monthly injections for the rest of your life!

When comparing Ozempic with gastric sleeve surgery's efficacy for weight loss alone, a thorough knowledge might not be obtained. While gastric sleeve surgery treats obesity and associated conditions, Ozempic focuses solely on improving an individual's glycemic control with type 2 diabetes.  Ozempic treats diabetes, not weight loss, it is specifically designed to help patients treat their diabetes.  The gastric sleeve surgery also helps treat type 2 diabetes.

Benefits of Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Ozempic:

The capacity of gastric sleeve surgery to encourage long-term weight loss is one of its main advantages. This 45 minute surgery makes the stomach smaller, which restricts food intake and increases feelings of fullness. Patients thus usually lose a considerable amount of weight over time, up to 80% of their excess weight. 

Additionally, it has been discovered that gastric sleeve surgery lowers the health risks related to obesity. After receiving this surgery, conditions like heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure frequently get better or go away. Through the resolution of these underlying health conditions, people can greatly improve their general state of health.

Gastric sleeve surgery can result in better physical health as well as a higher quality of life. The surgery can increase mobility and energy levels while promoting self-confidence and self-esteem through weight loss. Patients frequently report feeling happier overall and having improved social connections.

On the other hand, Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes drug that may help some people lose a small amount of weight. It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that its efficacy in facilitating long-term weight loss might not equal that of gastric sleeve surgery.

Side Effects and Complications in Gastric Sleeve Surgery and Ozempic:

Nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects of gastric sleeve surgery, especially in the early stages of recovery. Medication and dietary changes can be used to address this. Blood clots, hemorrhage, leaking from the surgical site, and infection are other possible side effects as with any other minimal invasive laparoscopic surgery.

Conversely, Ozempic is a drug that helps lower blood sugar levels in order to treat type 2 diabetes. It functions by imitating the body's GLP-1 hormone. Although Ozempic has demonstrated promising outcomes in the management of diabetes, a direct comparison of its efficacy to gastric sleeve surgery may not be suitable given their distinct mechanisms of action.  Ozempic has been seen as a possible culprit in kidney failure as well as other medical conditions that have sent patients to the ICU.

Cost Comparison between Ozempic and Gastric Sleeve Surgery: The average cost of Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Puerto Vallarta Mexico at Weight Loss Team with Dr. Parra, www.weightlossteam.com is  $4,260usd including all medical and hospital fees.  On the other side, without insurance, Ozempic might cost more than $1,000 a month, so imagine you get 4 months of injections with Ozempic or a lifetime of weight loss changes with the gastric sleeve surgery.  Obviously it is a no brainer to have surgery as long as your bmi is over 30.

Remember, Ozempic needs recurring prescriptions and refills, which add up over time. It is crucial to speak with medical experts about insurance coverage and any patient assistance programs that might be able to reduce these expenses.

Conclusion:

In conclusion. Long-term, sustained weight loss and enhanced health are possible with gastric sleeve surgery. Despite their seeming simplicity, Ozempic does not offer the long-term advantages of bariatric surgery. By removing a portion of the stomach, gastric sleeve surgery decreases hunger and promotes weight loss while lowering health risks. The process is safe, effective, and minimally invasive. Gastric sleeve surgery has the potential to change the lives of persons who are suffering from obesity and related health problems.