For post-operative patients with 25% weight regain, which option is listed?

For post-operative patients with 25% weight regain, which option is listed?

• A. Lifestyle intervention + Liraglutide OR phentermine/topiramate
• B. Metformin
• C. Orlistat
• D. Phentermine/topiramate only

Answer: (A)

When weight comes back after bariatric surgery, the most effective approach is to couple ongoing lifestyle strategies with pharmacologic help, not rely on a single medicine alone. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and phentermine/topiramate both offer meaningful additional weight loss by suppressing appetite and promoting satiety, and there is evidence supporting their use in people who have had bariatric surgery and then regain weight. Using lifestyle intervention alongside one of these medications addresses both behavioral and physiological drivers of weight regain, increasing the chance of sustaining loss. Metformin mostly aids glucose control and usually produces modest weight effects, not the robust weight-management benefits sought after post-surgery weight regain. Orlistat can cause gastrointestinal side effects and its added benefit is limited in this specific post-surgery context. Relying on phentermine/topiramate alone without continuing lifestyle changes misses an essential part of long-term success, since behavior and activity remain important for maintaining gains.

When weight comes back after bariatric surgery, the most effective approach is to couple ongoing lifestyle strategies with pharmacologic help, not rely on a single medicine alone. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and phentermine/topiramate both offer meaningful additional weight loss by suppressing appetite and promoting satiety, and there is evidence supporting their use in people who have had bariatric surgery and then regain weight. Using lifestyle intervention alongside one of these medications addresses both behavioral and physiological drivers of weight regain, increasing the chance of sustaining loss.

Metformin mostly aids glucose control and usually produces modest weight effects, not the robust weight-management benefits sought after post-surgery weight regain. Orlistat can cause gastrointestinal side effects and its added benefit is limited in this specific post-surgery context. Relying on phentermine/topiramate alone without continuing lifestyle changes misses an essential part of long-term success, since behavior and activity remain important for maintaining gains.