Mounjaro Injection vs Bariatric Surgery – What’s Best?
In recent years, the market has been flooded with news about miracle weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy.
These injections can, for many people, deliver incredible weight loss results, but how do they compare to bariatric surgery, and are Mounjaro weight loss injections safe and effective in the long term?
In this blog, we’ll run through everything you need to know about weight loss injections like Mounjaro, covering the good, the bad and the ugly, including how they compare to the results of bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
There are some rare, but serious side effects:
What are Mounjaro injections for weight loss?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a medication initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it has gained a significant amount of attention for its potential use in weight loss.
It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, which help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and it also targets GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. This dual action makes it particularly effective in promoting weight loss as well as improving blood glucose control.
Mounjaro injections work by:
- Suppressing your appetite: Mounjaro affects the brain’s hunger signals, making you feel full sooner. This, naturally, results in you eating less.
- Slowing your digestion: It also delays the emptying of the stomach. This helps you to feel fuller for longer after a meal.
- Improving sensitivity to insulin: Finally, it improves the body’s response to insulin. This helps to reduce fat storage.
Are Mounjaro injections safe?
Mounjaro injections are considered safe and are approved for both the treatment of type-2 diabetes and for weight management.
There are some rare, but serious side effects of Mounjaro injection and also other, less serious side effects, including injection site reactions, slight increase in heart rate and mild problems with digestion.
Generally speaking, Mounjaro injections are safe.
How do Mounjaro injections work?
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is injected under the skin once a week. It imitates the GLP-1 and GIP hormones in your body.
These hormones are part of the body’s natural response to food intake, helping regulate blood sugar levels and influencing feelings of fullness. They send signals to your brain to help regulate your energy levels. In doing so, they basically tell your brain that it’s full, making you eat less and, as a result, lose weight.
An important note – Mounjaro alone is not a suitable treatment for obesity. Yes, it can help to accelerate your weight loss, but you need to couple it with healthy eating practices and exercise if you want it to be successful.
Do Mounjaro injections work long term?
Early data shows that Mounjaro and similar drugs (such as Ozempic) can help patients lose more than 24% of their body weight.
However, patients often regain two thirds of this weight within 12 months of stopping injections. Scientists believe that this is because weight gain and excessive eating are predominantly a mental issue. As soon as the drug is out of your system, you’re very likely to return to old habits if there is no further intervention.
So, unfortunately, the answer is ‘no’ – Mounjaro injections aren’t the best long-term solution to your weight concerns, but they can help you lose a lot of weight in the short term.
The common types of bariatric surgery are:
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric is another word for weight loss, making ‘bariatric surgery’ and ‘weight loss surgery’ synonymous.
Bariatric surgery comes in a variety of forms, but no matter which surgery you choose, the outcome is relatively similar – you will have a reduced stomach capacity and will be unable to eat as much as before, resulting in significant weight loss.
Bariatric surgery is, perhaps obviously, more permanent than an injection, as sections of your stomach are often removed.
Some procedures, such as the gastric band, are less permanent, while procedures such as the Allurion pill balloon are temporary weight loss solutions.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery, we highly recommend consulting with weight loss experts about what’s right for you. They can provide unbiased advice on whether surgery is the best option, or whether you should try an alternative weight loss method first.
Speak to our expertsAre Mounjaro injections better than bariatric surgery?
Research shows that bariatric surgery is more effective than Mounjaro injections for long-term weight loss.
“Weight loss from bariatric surgery was maintained at approximately 25% for up to ten years after surgery, while patients who received GLP-1 receptor agonists regained 50% of the weight lost within one year of stopping treatment.” (Source)
Mounjaro injections are a good short-term weight loss solution, but they often fail to provide real weight loss success over time.
To summarise:
Mounjaro injections are a very effective tool in helping with short-term weight loss, but weight is often regained a short time after stopping treatment.
Bariatric surgery is a more permanent weight loss solution, meaning that weight is almost never regained.
Should I choose Mounjaro injections or bariatric surgery?
Weight loss is a sensitive issue for many. We highly recommend consulting with your GP to determine whether either weight loss solution is right for you.
At Tonic, we only recommend weight loss surgery to people who truly need it.
If you’ve tried diets, you’ve tried lifestyle changes and you’re at your wit’s end, weight loss surgery may well be the perfect next step in your weight loss journey.
Mounjaro injections are a fantastic option for people looking to lose weight, however, if you’re unable to continue treatment for any reason, you’re very likely to lose the great progress you made while taking the drug.
If you want a permanent weight loss solution with guaranteed long-term results, give our specialists a shout today for a free no-obligation consultation about your weight loss goals and whether bariatric surgery is right for you.
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