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Research Highlights
Research Reveal Ups, Downs of Popular Weight-Loss Treatments
April 5, 2005
Reports from VA and RAND Health, based on combined data from 225 previous studies, concluded
that bariatric surgery is more effective than drugs to help severely obese patients lose weight, and that
most drugs prescribed for overweight and obesity do promote modest weight loss, at least in the short
term, but only when combined with exercise and changes in diet. The researchers found that gastric
bypass surgery, which involves stapling the stomach to decrease its size and bypassing part of the
intestines, typically results in greater weight loss than other bariatric surgeries, such as adjustable
laparoscopic banding. Bariatric surgery in general appears to improve or even eliminate diabetes, high
blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol, but the complication rate can be as high as 20
percent. In their analysis of weight-loss medications, including popular drugs such as sibutramine and
orlistat, the researchers found little difference in efficacy but significant differences in side effects, and
an overall lack of data on long-term safety. (Annals of Internal Medicine, 4/5/05)
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