There isn’t a argument that drugs containing semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy, have gone viral for weight reduction. Possibly you might have thought-about making an attempt one in every of these drugs or have already tried one.
Whereas these drugs are extremely efficient within the quick time period, they’re expensive and is probably not as efficient in the long run in comparison with different weight reduction strategies.
A research revealed in April 2024 within the JAMA Community Open by Dr. Muhammad Haseeb and colleagues in contrast the long-term value and effectiveness of two well-liked weight reduction strategies: endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and semaglutide. The research discovered that semaglutide drugs have been considerably costlier and never as efficient long-term when in comparison with the ESG process.
In case you’re making an attempt to resolve between a semaglutide or ESG for weight reduction, right here’s what you have to learn about semaglutide and each choices’ value and long-term success.
What’s Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an artificial model of the GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide 1, hormone. The principle motion of this treatment is to stimulate the hormone insulin whereas inhibiting the hormone glucagon, which helps to manage blood sugar. The GLP-1 hormone additionally acts on the satiety facilities in your mind, telling your mind you’ve had sufficient to eat. This ends in a decrease calorie consumption and weight reduction.
There are a number of GLP-1 drugs in the marketplace. The most well-liked incorporates an lively ingredient known as semaglutide. It’s bought below the model names Ozempic or Wegovy. A semaglutide various with an lively ingredient known as tirzepatide is bought below the model names Mounjaro or Zepbound.
These drugs have been initially developed for individuals with kind 2 diabetes to assist handle blood sugar. Nonetheless, it was found that in addition they helped individuals shed weight. Medical doctors began prescribing it for weight reduction, even for these with out diabetes.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized these drugs for weight reduction alone in 2021 and 2023. They’re now bought below the model names Wegovy and Zepbound.
Price of Semaglutide
Though these drugs are extremely well-liked, there’s one vital draw back–the worth tag. The price of semaglutide and related drugs is out of attain for a lot of sufferers. The JAMA research discovered that over 5 years, semaglutide prices over $53,000. These drugs are sometimes not lined by insurance coverage and value sufferers between $1,000 and $1,500 per thirty days.
The GLP-1 drugs have to be used long-term to keep up weight reduction. Nonetheless, semaglutide value is just too excessive for most individuals, which suggests many drop off the remedy, leading to weight regain.
What’s Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty?
ESG is a non-surgical, incision-less, minimally invasive process that reduces the general measurement of the abdomen to advertise weight reduction. By decreasing the abdomen measurement by 70-80%, the quantity of meals that may be eaten is restricted, leading to a decrease calorie consumption and weight reduction.
Whereas a process could seem costlier than treatment, this isn’t the case in terms of the price and effectiveness of ESG vs semaglutide over a five-year interval.
Price of Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
The authors of the JAMA research discovered that ESG was a way more cost-effective and sustainable weight reduction technique. Based on the research, the common endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty value over 5 years is lower than $20,000. The endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty value is $11,995 at True You Weight Loss. The authors of the JAMA research concluded that the annual value of semaglutide would have to be decreased from $13,618 to $3,591 to be thought-about a comparable intervention cost-wise.
Lengthy-Time period Sustainable Outcomes
Not solely was the price of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty considerably lower than the price of semaglutide, however ESG provided higher weight reduction outcomes over 5 years for these with class II weight problems, outlined as a BMI of 35 to 39.9 kg/m2.
When it comes to preliminary weight reduction, the common affected person who undergoes ESG loses roughly 23.1% of their physique weight at 12 months after surgical procedure. A 2022 research discovered that the common weight misplaced after 68 weeks of semaglutide was 9.6-17.4% of preliminary physique weight. Present analysis exhibits that ESG is more practical at serving to sufferers shed weight.
What about long-term outcomes? The JAMA research discovered that ESG was additionally more practical. The typical BMI after 5 years was 31.7 for ESG versus 33.0 for the GLP-1 drugs. A part of this discrepancy in outcomes is as a result of an estimated 20% of semaglutide sufferers will cease their treatment because of negative effects or intolerance, resulting in subsequent weight acquire.
Whereas semaglutide or different GLP-1 drugs are a non-invasive, easy-to-use possibility for weight reduction, the JAMA research signifies these drugs is probably not the most suitable choice for long-term weight upkeep. Weighing in opposition to the price of the treatment, which is supposed for use long-term, ESG for weight reduction is a more practical and cheaper possibility.
Price-Efficient Options to Semaglutide
When selecting a weight reduction technique, it’s essential to contemplate the professionals and cons of semaglutide and ESG. The easiest way to find out which possibility is greatest for you is to talk with an skilled doctor.
Contact True You Weight Loss for a free digital session to debate your choices. We’ll personalize our packages to suit your distinctive wants and way of life, guaranteeing long-lasting outcomes.
References:
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2817480
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17928588/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707151/
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31853865/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9807016/
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