Evidence mapPaperPMID 41635371Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists as a Non-surgical Alternative to Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss: A Review.

Chuh Steven, Thangwaritorn Skylynn, Haghighat Bardya, Bhalla Megha, Vuong Helen, Duo Lee, Fateh Entabi, Sudhakar Pemminati

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Chuh StevenDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Thangwaritorn SkylynnDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Haghighat BardyaDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Bhalla MeghaDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Vuong HelenDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Duo LeeDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.
Fateh EntabiDepartment of Surgery, Adventist Health System, Tulare, USA.
Sudhakar PemminatiDepartment of Biomedical Education, California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clovis, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Obesity is a growing global epidemic, contributing to major health conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cancer. The purpose of this review is to evaluate and compare obesity management strategies, with a focus on the magnitude of weight loss achieved and the adverse effects associated with each intervention. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure methodological rigor in study selection and reporting. Bariatric surgery is currently considered the most effective intervention for achieving significant and sustained weight reduction, particularly in patients with severe obesity. Procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and adjustable gastric banding consistently demonstrate superior weight loss and metabolic improvements compared with nonsurgical therapies. However, surgery carries well-documented risks, such as gastric strictures, anastomotic leaks, thromboembolic events, infections, and the need for reoperations. Long-term challenges include nutritional deficiencies, GI complications, and, in some patients, partial weight regain. Pharmacologic options are increasingly important adjuncts or alternatives to surgery. Novel agents, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), have gained popularity due to their substantial efficacy among pharmacological options, favorable safety profile, and non-invasive nature. Other agents, including phentermine-topiramate (PHEN-TPM), naltrexone-bupropion, and orlistat, also play roles in individualized treatment plans, although weight loss outcomes are typically more modest than with surgical approaches. In conclusion, a multimodal strategy integrating surgical and medical therapy may provide the most durable results. This approach not only enhances weight loss but also supports long-term maintenance and optimizes management of obesity-related comorbidities.

Indexed as

bariatric surgerygastric bandingglucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonistliposuctionorexin-aweight loss and obesity

Identifiers

PMID41635371
PMCPMC12863638

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.