GRAND RAPID, Mich. (WOOD) – Nearly two months into 2023, many people's resolutions are on hold. If you're trying to lose weight but aren't meeting your goals, there are some other options to consider.
Dr. Derek Nagle, a bariatric surgeon from the University of Michigan Western Health, recommends starting a conversation with your primary care physician.
“For patients who have trouble losing weight and maintaining it long-term, surgical weight loss is always an option,” Nagle said.
Nagle said the most common bariatric surgery Called a sleeve gastrectomy, it is a minimally invasive procedure.
“A sleeve gastrectomy takes about 60 to 90 minutes. The patient stays in the hospital overnight. We basically make the stomach a long, thin tube about 5 ounces in size,” Nagle said.
After one year, patients typically lose 60 to 65 percent of their excess body weight.
Ozempic is a new diabetes drug on the market that some people are taking to lose weight. Nagle says it works by increasing gastrointestinal transit time and creating a feeling of fullness.
“It (Ozempic) was very effective in the trials. About 85 percent of people were able to lose about 5 percent of their body weight. In these trials, the average weight loss was about 35 pounds,” Nagle said.
There are body mass index requirements for people considering bariatric surgery. Hospital staff will work with your insurance company to understand coverage, Nagle said.
