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Surgery still wins the weight-loss race. A new study comparing sleeve gastrectomy to tirzepatide in a predominantly African American and Hispanic cohort found surgery delivered 30% total weight loss at 12 months vs. just 12% for the medication. Tirzepatide still showed meaningful results, keeping it a viable option for those who can't or won't undergo surgery.
Surgery still wins the weight-loss race — at least in this diverse cohort.
A retrospective study out of the University of Illinois Chicago compared sleeve gastrectomy to tirzepatide in 122 matched patients with severe obesity — mostly African American and Hispanic women — over 12 months. The results were striking: surgery delivered more than double the weight loss of the GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist at every measured timepoint.
Notably, tirzepatide's 12% weight loss fell short of the 14%–23% seen in major clinical trials, which the authors attribute to higher baseline BMI, more comorbidities, and potentially racial, environmental, or genetic factors affecting drug response in this population.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Most GLP-1 trial data comes from predominantly White populations. This study highlights that treatment outcomes may differ in diverse, underserved communities — and that surgery remains a powerful tool, while tirzepatide still offers meaningful benefits for those who aren't surgical candidates.
