Bariatric Surgery
If you have been struggling with your weight, and diet and exercise have not yielded the desired results, there are a variety of options available to you, including bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery may encompass a variety of procedures, which are collectively designed to help you lose weight. One common form of bariatric surgery is known as gastric bypass, which involves changing how your digestive system operates. Through these changes, your body may be better equipped to lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Bariatric surgery may also be recommended if you are experiencing health problems due to your weight. By speaking to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of these procedures, you can make a more informed decision about the best course of action for your personal health and wellness needs.
News

Genetic predictors for GLP-1 weight loss efficacy and side effects identified
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – 23andMe Research Institute, a nonprofit medical research organization, announced the publication of a study that identifies genetic predictors for GLP-1 weight loss efficacy and side effects. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, have transformed the clinical management of weight and obesity. However, patients experience substantial variability in both weight loss efficacy and the incidence of side effects. Some individuals lose less than 5% of their body weight, whereas others lose more than 20%. Some individuals experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting, whereas others do not.

STAT+: 23andMe finds genetic changes appear to help predict response to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Changes in two genes appear to help predict whether patients will lose substantial weight on GLP-1 drugs — and whether the drugs will cause nausea or vomiting.
FDA approves Wegovy-like GLP-1 pill, Foundayo, for weight loss
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 –

Cardiologist Sues UPMC; BP Control in a Rut; GLP-1 Drugs During Pregnancy
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday April 8 – (MedPage Today) — In a whistleblower lawsuit, a prominent cardiologist says he was fired from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) after reporting racist text messages exchanged between colleagues and a potential conflict of interest…

GLP-1 Pill Showdown; $35 Insulin Cap Success; Preterm Births Tied to Plastics
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday April 8 – (MedPage Today) — Novo Nordisk said its semaglutide (Wegovy) pill outperformed recently approved orforglipron (Foundayo) in weight loss and tolerability in an indirect comparison using clinical trial data, and the company launched multi-month…

Novo launches high-dose Wegovy in the US; Evotec pressured to list its US unit
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday April 8 – Plus, news about Vertex and Halozyme, Werewolf, and Regeneron:
Novo Nordisk launches high-dose Wegovy in the US: The 7.2 mg injectable form of the GLP-1 agonist is now available in the US to treat obesity …

STAT+: Novo Nordisk launches high-dose Wegovy
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday April 8 – Insurers score Medicare Advantage wins, the obesity drug race continues, and other biotech news from The Readout

FDA Approves Foundayo, a Wegovy Alternative GLP-1 Pill for Weight Loss
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 – Wednesday April 8 – The FDA has approved a new once-daily GLP-1 pill for weight loss. Image Credit: Healthline/Photo by Eli Lilly
Federal regulators have approved the GLP-1 tablet Foundayo for use in weight management.
Experts say having another weight loss medication in pill form could help people stick to a weight management regimen.

AAD: Ixekizumab + Tirzepatide Boosts Psoriatic Arthritis Outcomes More Than Ixekizumab Monotherapy
Monday, April 6, 2026 – MONDAY, April 6, 2026 — Ixekizumab plus tirzepatide (IXE+TZP) shows significant benefits for outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) versus IXE alone in adults with overweight or obesity, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the…
Reviews
- Adams TD, Gress RE, Smith SC, Halverson RC, Simper SC, Rosamond WD, Lamonte MJ, Stroup AM, Hunt SC. Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med. 2007 Aug 23;357(8):753-61. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa066603. PMID: 17715409.
- Gloy VL, Briel M, Bhatt DL, Kashyap SR, Schauer PR, Mingrone G, Bucher HC, Nordmann AJ. Bariatric surgery versus non-surgical treatment for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2013 Oct 22;347:f5934. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f5934. PMID: 24149519; PMCID: PMC3806364.
- Courcoulas AP, Christian NJ, Belle SH, Berk PD, Flum DR, Garcia L, Horlick M, Kalarchian MA, King WC, Mitchell JE, Patterson EJ, Pender JR, Pomp A, Pories WJ, Thirlby RC, Yanovski SZ, Wolfe BM; Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Consortium. Weight change and health outcomes at 3 years after bariatric surgery among individuals with severe obesity. JAMA. 2013 Dec 11;310(22):2416-25. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.280928. PMID: 24189773; PMCID: PMC3955952.
- Brito JP, Montori VM, Davis AM. Metabolic Surgery in the Treatment Algorithm for Type 2 Diabetes: A Joint Statement by International Diabetes Organizations. JAMA. 2017 Feb 14;317(6):635-636. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.20563. PMID: 28196240; PMCID: PMC5557277.
- Arterburn DE, Telem DA, Kushner RF, Courcoulas AP. Benefits and Risks of Bariatric Surgery in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2020 Sep 1;324(9):879-887. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.12567. PMID: 32870301.
References:
- Wikipedia Bariatric surgery. Accessed September 2023
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Accessed September 2023
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. “Bariatric Surgery Procedures.” Accessed September 2023