To describe the role of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in contemporary clinical practice, emphasizing the significance of the evolving landscape of pharmacological approaches to treat obesity.
Key Findings:
MBS is the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity and its comorbidities.
MBS leads to improved glycaemic control, lower apnoea burden, reduced cardiovascular risk, and improved survival.
Emerging weight-loss medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists and tirzepatide may influence referral patterns for MBS.
MBS has limitations including perioperative risks, nutritional deficiencies, and variable access across healthcare systems.
Interpretation:
The integration of MBS with novel pharmacological treatments is essential for optimizing patient selection and therapeutic pathways in obesity management, highlighting their complementary roles.
Limitations:
Short-term risks of MBS include complications and nutritional deficiencies.
Long-term challenges include weight regain and the need for lifelong micronutrient supplementation.
Limited uptake of MBS due to referral patterns, patient preferences, and insurance coverage, which can hinder effective treatment.
Conclusion:
MBS remains a critical intervention for severe obesity, but its role may evolve with the advent of effective pharmacotherapy, necessitating a collaborative approach in treatment strategies.
A four-factor staging system stratified response rates from 90.9% to 37.5% in a retrospective cohort study, although the model showed only moderate discrimination (C statistic, 0.68) and requires external validation
These 10 states make it more practical for physicians to participate in hospital ownership by aligning statutory structure, corporate practice of medicine rules, and population trends.