INTRODUCTION: Few studies have documented 10-year outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in patients in the United States (US). This single-institution retrospective study reviewed longitudinal weight loss in young patients who underwent SG more than 10 years ago and followed their adjuvant use of semaglutide and tirzepatide. We hypothesized that adjuvant AOM use would be associated with better long-term weight outcomes.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of all adult patients at our institution who underwent SG before 45 years old between January 2013 and December 2014. Patients were required to have BMI data available at least 9.5 years after SG, and those who underwent conversion to gastric bypass (RYGB) were excluded. Longitudinal weight loss outcomes were compared between patients taking semaglutide and/or tirzepatide for at least 1 year at the most recent documented visit and patients not taking adjuvant AOMs at the most recent visit.
RESULTS: 111 patients met the criteria for inclusion. There were 67 patients not taking adjuvant AOMs and 44 patients taking adjuvant AOMs at the most recent visit (semaglutide in 29 patients and tirzepatide in 15 patients). In patients not taking adjuvant AOMs, the mean percent total weight loss (%TWL) was 14.1% at mean 10.6 years after SG. In patients taking adjuvant AOMs, mean %TWL was 25.7% at mean 10.7 years after SG (p < 0.001). On average, patients started AOMs 7.6 years after SG and had been taking AOMs for 3.0 years at the time of most recent visit. Groups had similar weight loss trajectories prior to initiation of adjuvant medications.
CONCLUSION: Among younger patients who underwent SG at our institution more than 10 years ago, patients currently taking adjuvant semaglutide and/or tirzepatide demonstrated significantly better long-term weight loss than patients not taking adjuvant AOMs. This study suggests that adjuvant AOMs can optimize long-term weight outcomes after SG, even when started many years postoperatively.
GLP-1 Therapies