The Truth About GLP-1 Medications and Bariatric Surgery with Melissa Beitner
Dr. Melissa Beitner, a bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist who brings a comprehensive understanding of both surgical and medical weight loss treatments. Her work at 360Surgical reflects a multidisciplinary approach to treating obesity as the chronic disease it is.
In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of obesity treatment, from understanding who qualifies for GLP-1 medications versus bariatric surgery, to what happens when treatments are combined or used sequentially. We discuss the reality of insufficient weight loss, weight recurrence, and why some patients might need surgery after medications or vice versa. We cover emerging research, including studies on weight maintenance after GLP-1 discontinuation, and why bariatric surgery might be considered as a weight maintenance strategy rather than just a weight loss tool. We also touch on the importance of multidisciplinary care, nutritional considerations for long-term medication use, and how financial factors influence treatment decisions.
Listen to this episode to understand how modern obesity treatment is moving away from either-or decisions toward integrated approaches that consider each person’s unique circumstances, goals, and health needs.
- Who qualifies for GLP-1 medications versus bariatric surgery
- BMI and comorbidity requirements for each treatment option
- Why obesity medications aren’t routinely used before surgery
- Using medications after surgery for insufficient weight loss or weight recurrence
- Bariatric surgery as a weight maintenance strategy after medications
- Why weight cycling harms metabolism and causes muscle loss
- Future treatments including multi-agonist drugs and endoscopic options
- Nutritional concerns for long-term GLP-1 use
- Financial comparison between ongoing medications and one-time surgery
- The importance of multidisciplinary care in treating obesity as a chronic disease
Dr. Melissa Beitner is a fellowship trained bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist. She is the founder of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary weight management clinic called 360 SURGERY where she helps patients with evidence-based surgical and non-surgical weight management solutions in a supportive, judgement free environment here in Melbourne.
After completing medical school at The University of Melbourne, she undertook general surgery training at New York University followed by fellowships in bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York as well as in Brisbane and Sydney. She is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
Connect with Melissa Beitner
Instagram | @360surgery
TikTok | @drweightlossmelbourne
Website | www.360surgery.com.au
