The Long-Term Solution for Sustainable Weight Loss
If you’re struggling with obesity and searching for the best weight loss option, you’ve likely come across two common choices: bariatric surgery or weight loss medications. While prescription medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have gained popularity, they come with serious drawbacks, including muscle loss, side effects, and limited long-term success.1
At Florida Coast Weight Loss Center, Dr. Darren Peterson, a board-certified bariatric surgeon, believes that surgical weight loss, combined with a comprehensive approach of managing nutrition, activity, and lifestyle issues, is the most effective, life-changing solution for those serious about long-term results.
Surgery vs. Medications: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Sleeve Gastrectomy | Gastric Bypass | Duodenal Switch | Weight Loss Medications | |
| Lifetime Cost | $9,800 | $21,500 | $14,900 | $210,000* |
| Excess Weight Loss | 50-65% | 50-70% | 80-90% | 10-20% |
| Rate of Weight Loss | Faster | Fastest | Fastest | Slow to Moderate |
| Complications | Low | Moderate | Low | Moderate to High |
| Reversible | No | Partially Reversible | Partially Reversible | Yes |
| Outpatient Procedure | Yes | No (1-2 nights in hospital) | Yes | N/A |
| Time Off Work | <1 Week | 2 Weeks | <1 Week | N/A |
| Weight Regain | Yes | Yes | Less Likely | Yes |
| Convert Procedure to Another | Yes | Difficult | Yes | N/A |
*Calculation based on the average age of 40 for weight loss surgery patients and a life expectancy of 75.
The Truth About Weight Loss Medications
Weight loss drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) promise quick results, but they come with serious downsides:
- Most patients do not reach their weight loss goals: Medications only help patients lose an average of 5% of their total body weight,2 compared to the 60-80% excess weight loss seen with bariatric surgery.
- 50% or more patients experience side effects:3 Common issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. More serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and thyroid tumors.
- 40-60% of weight lost is muscle: Unlike bariatric surgery, which preserves lean muscle mass,4 medications cause significant muscle loss, leading to decreased strength and a slower metabolism.
Weight regain is common: The moment patients stop taking weight loss drugs, the body regains the lost weight, making it an unsustainable long-term solution.
Why Bariatric Surgery Is the Superior Choice
Bariatric surgery offers permanent metabolic changes that promote sustainable, long-term weight loss and improve overall health.
✔ Significant weight loss: Gastric sleeve and the duodenal switch surgery lead to an average 60-95% loss of excess body fat.5
✔ Long-term success: Unlike medications, surgery provides lasting results by changing how your body regulates hunger and metabolism.
✔ Resolves obesity-related conditions: Surgery helps improve or even eliminate type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and heart disease.
✔ Fewer long-term side effects: While medications cause continuous side effects, bariatric surgery has a low complication rate and requires no daily drugs.
✔ One-time procedure, no lifelong dependency: Unlike weight loss medications, which must be taken indefinitely, surgery is a one-time procedure with lifelong benefits.
The Lifetime Cost of Surgery vs. Weight Loss Medications
While weight loss injections may seem like a lower-cost option initially, their lifetime cost is staggering—averaging $210,000 over a patient’s lifetime.* In contrast, bariatric surgery is a one-time investment with long-term benefits. Surgery provides significant weight loss and lasting health improvements. It eliminates the need for costly, lifelong medications—making it the more effective and financially sound choice for long-term weight management and wellness.
*Calculation based on the average age of 40 for weight loss surgery patients and a life expectancy of 75.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey Today
Florida Coast Weight Loss Center provides a range of weight loss options, including bariatric surgery and weight loss medications for patients in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach, Florida, looking for a life-changing, long-term weight loss solution. Contact us today to schedule a consultation today to discuss your weight loss surgery options and take control of your health!
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FAQs About Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss Medications
Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery or weight loss medications?
Candidates for bariatric surgery typically have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.6 Some weight loss medications may be prescribed for patients with a BMI of 30 or higher who have been unsuccessful with diet and exercise. However, medications alone rarely provide long-term success.
At Florida Coast Weight Loss Center, our bariatric surgeon, Dr. Darren Peterson, will assess your body mass index, healthcare history, and weight loss goals to determine the best weight loss treatment for you.
Does insurance cover weight loss surgery or weight loss medications?
Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery and medications varies depending on your plan. Many insurers cover laparoscopic bariatric surgery, including duodenal switch, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, if you meet specific criteria related to your BMI and health conditions like heart disease or sleep apnea.
Weight loss medications are typically not covered by insurance.7 Our team can help you navigate your insurance coverage options and determine the most cost-effective approach to achieving your weight management goals.
How much weight can I expect to lose with bariatric surgery vs. weight loss medications?
The amount of weight lost depends on the method chosen. With weight loss surgery, patients typically lose 60-95% of their excess body fat, while weight loss medications result in an average 10-15% total body weight loss—significantly lower. Additionally, weight loss drugs can lead to muscle loss, making it harder to maintain results in the long run.
Surgery provides a more effective, long-term solution for sustained weight loss and wellness.
Do I need to take supplements after weight loss surgery or while using weight loss medications?
Yes. After bariatric surgery, nutritional volume decreases and your body may absorb fewer nutrients depending on the procedure you choose, making supplements essential for maintaining your health. Patients typically need multivitamins, calcium, vitamin D, and B12 to prevent deficiencies. Supplement protocols vary depending on the treatment chosen.
Those using weight loss medications should also monitor their nutrient levels, as appetite suppression can lead to inadequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Our team will guide you on the best supplement regimen for your needs.
Where can I find weight loss surgery and weight loss medications near me?
Florida Coast Weight Loss Center proudly serves patients in Orlando, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and nearby Tampa and Miami, FL communities. We specialize in laparoscopic gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and surgical weight loss solutions to help patients achieve life-changing, long-term weight loss.
While weight loss medications are available, they come with significant side effects and do not provide the same long-term weight management benefits as surgery. If you’re considering your options, schedule a consultation with our team today!
How can I maintain my results after weight loss surgery or weight loss injections?
Sustaining your weight loss journey requires more than surgery or medications—it’s about creating lasting lifestyle changes to support your health and wellness. At Florida Coast Weight Loss Center, we partner with you at every step, providing personalized weight loss programs to ensure your long-term success. We offer the Finish Strong Program and Fit Body Boot Camp to help our patients maintain results. Our dedicated team will provide ongoing guidance in nutrition, fitness, supplements, and healthcare support so you can enjoy a healthier, more fulfilled life.
1 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The pros, cons, and unknowns of popular weight-loss drugs. https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/01/11/ozempic-wegovy-weight-loss-drugs-pros-cons/. Accessed February 26, 2025.
2 Obesity. Real-world weight loss effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists among patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9877131/#. Accessed February 26, 2025.
3 The Review of Diabetic Studies. Adverse Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5397288/. Accessed February 26, 2025.
4 Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. Changes in lean body mass with glucagon-like peptide-1-based therapies and mitigation strategies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38937282/. Accessed February 26, 2025.
5 UCLA Health. Gastric Sleeve Surgery: All the things you need to know. https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/surgery/bariatrics/gastric-sleeve#. Accessed February 26, 2025.
6 Penn Medicine. Who is a Candidate for Bariatric and Weight Loss Surgery? https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/bariatric-surgery/who-is-a-candidate#. Accessed February 26, 2025.
7 Obesity Medicine Association. Does Insurance Cover Weight Loss Medication? https://obesitymedicine.org/blog/does-insurance-cover-weight-loss-medication/#. Accessed February 26, 2025.
8 UCLA Health. Rapid weight loss can lead to loss of muscle mass. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/rapid-weight-loss-can-lead-loss-muscle-mass#. Accessed February 26, 2025.
The surgeons at Florida Coast Weight Loss Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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