A variety of pills and capsules in different shapes and colors scattered on a white surface.

Medications

A healthcare professional in teal scrubs with a stethoscope around their neck is using a tablet.

vs

Surgery

Which is best for me?

This is not a straightforward question, and individual circumstances need to be considered.

Obesity treatments can be used in isolation or together. Your treatment decision should not be A vs B.

Many patients who have trialled medications then go onto bariatric surgery and many patients who have had bariatric surgery also start anti-obesity medications too. Many of our patients with successful weight loss have employed both methods of weight loss.

What is important is to know that there are many effective treatment options available, and we should never give up on the treatment of obesity.

Medications

Strengths

Multiple arrows radiating outward from a central circle, indicating expansion or movement in all directions.

Multiple options that can be tailored to your needs and any concurrent medical issues you may have.

Medical syringe and a medicine bottle with a cross symbol

Does not require surgery.
No associated surgical complications.

Person with a clock beside them, indicating time or urgency

Reversible side-effects that will disappear once treatment has stopped.

Icons of pills, a medicine bottle, and a blister pack of tablets.

Future exciting medication options on the horizon.

Limitations

A money bag with a dollar sign, a calculator, and a piece of paper or receipt.

Can be more costly compared to private surgery. Obesity medications need to be lifelong to have its continued effect. Once anti-obesity medications have been stopped, patients are expected to gain weight again. The speed of weight re-gain is dependent on several factors.

Line drawing of a weighing scale gauge.

The current available medications, especially in New Zealand usually averages 8-10% weight loss from starting weight. Bariatric surgery usually can achieve 30-40% weight loss. For a gastric bypass procedure, patients can be expected to lose up to 70% of their excess weight.

Surgery

Strengths

Simple line drawing of a weighing scale or meter gauge.

Weight loss is superior to current medications available.

Line drawing of a syringe and a medicine bottle with a cross symbol.

Can combine surgery and medication to get better long term results

A simple black outline drawing of a scalpel, scissors, and a tweezer

There are different surgical options available that can be tailored to meet your needs.

Black dollar sign with downward arrow

Is a cost-effective method of treatment

A target with a dart hitting the bullseye.

Highly effective at treating serious medical comorbidities such as obstructive sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, musculoskeletal pain, gastroesophageal reflux, and improving fertility in women

Limitations

Outline of a medicine bottle with pills inside

Need to take lifelong multivitamins

Healthcare bed with patient and overhead surgical or examination light

Surgical risks/complications.

Line drawing of a knife with a serrated edge and a handle.

Sometimes surgical revision is required

A city skyline at sunrise, with green hills and trees in the foreground and a tower in the distance.
A young woman in athletic wear checking her smartwatch outdoors on a sunny day, with greenery and trees in the background.
Wooden blocks spelling out "FAQS" in black letters on a gray surface with a blurred green background.