Larra
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- Dec 31, 2013
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Trial Supports GLP-1 After Underwhelming Metabolic Surgery | MedPage Today
I have a couple thoughts about this study. First, the acknowledgement that, for, sadly, a fair number of people, results of certain bariatric surgeries are underwhelming. Note that the patients here mostly had sleeve gastrectomy, with a smaller number with gastric bypass. We here are aware that the results of lap band are even more underwhelming, but that wasn't part of this study.
Next, the idea that, if someone has underwhelming results, the medical profession shouldn't just give up on them. We now finally have medications that actually help people achieve a significant amount of weight loss. Granted, they don't work for everyone, but then, what does. And some people will have intolerable side effects, and they're expensive, etc etc. But still, it's an option.
Finally, that for some people, revising to a more effective bariatric surgery should be an option, and the DS is mentioned here. Not that we get top billing or anything, but so many studies don't even mention the DS, so it's nice to see its existence and greater efficacy recognized for a change, and also just the concept that if one bariatric surgery doesn't succeed, further surgery should be an option when medically appropriate.
Of course, this study doesn't address the reasons people have less effective bariatric surgeries, or that many don't have access to a second surgery due to insurers refusing to cover them or complete lack of insurance, or that those same insurers won't cover the new class of drugs because they're expensive. But that's not what the study was designed to study.
I have a couple thoughts about this study. First, the acknowledgement that, for, sadly, a fair number of people, results of certain bariatric surgeries are underwhelming. Note that the patients here mostly had sleeve gastrectomy, with a smaller number with gastric bypass. We here are aware that the results of lap band are even more underwhelming, but that wasn't part of this study.
Next, the idea that, if someone has underwhelming results, the medical profession shouldn't just give up on them. We now finally have medications that actually help people achieve a significant amount of weight loss. Granted, they don't work for everyone, but then, what does. And some people will have intolerable side effects, and they're expensive, etc etc. But still, it's an option.
Finally, that for some people, revising to a more effective bariatric surgery should be an option, and the DS is mentioned here. Not that we get top billing or anything, but so many studies don't even mention the DS, so it's nice to see its existence and greater efficacy recognized for a change, and also just the concept that if one bariatric surgery doesn't succeed, further surgery should be an option when medically appropriate.
Of course, this study doesn't address the reasons people have less effective bariatric surgeries, or that many don't have access to a second surgery due to insurers refusing to cover them or complete lack of insurance, or that those same insurers won't cover the new class of drugs because they're expensive. But that's not what the study was designed to study.
