Semaglutide 2.4 mg/wk for weight loss in patients with severe obesity and with or without a history of bariatric surgery

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effectiveness of semaglutide 2.4 mg in patients with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) who had previously undergone bariatric surgery (BS) but failed to achieve satisfactory weight loss or experienced weight regain compared with patients without a history of BS with similar BMI. Methods: The authors analyzed data from 129 patients with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, including 39 with (BS+) and 90 without (BS−) a history of BS. The patients received semaglutide treatment for 24 weeks starting at 0.25 mg/wk and gradually increasing to reach a final dose of 2.4 mg/wk. The treatment outcomes were assessed based on the percentage of weight loss, changes in BMI, and waist circumference. Results: Semaglutide treatment resulted in significant 9.1% weight loss in the BS+ group, with no significant difference in weight loss between the BS+ and BS− groups. Conclusions: This study is the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to compare the effectiveness of semaglutide treatment in patients with versus those without a history of BS, providing valuable evidence of its efficacy. By focusing on individuals with severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2 and associated comorbidities), it fills a gap in the current literature and highlights the potential of semaglutide 2.4 mg as a treatment option for this specific population.