19/02/2026
Surgery vs “Skinny Jabs”: The body-composition difference is BIG.
A new real-world study tracking people for 24 months found bariatric surgery reshaped body fat and lean tissue more dramatically than GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide/tirzepatide).
Fat mass dropped far more after surgery (about ~50% by 12–24 months in this analysis)
GLP-1 users still saw meaningful fat loss, but smaller on average (~18% by 24 months)
Lean mass also decreased in both groups — with bigger drops after surgery, and women showing more lean-mass loss than men 💪🧠
👉 The takeaway: Weight loss isn’t just the number on the scale — it’s what you lose (fat vs lean tissue) that matters.
READ MORE: https://durbanbariatricsurgery.co.za/bariatric-surgery-reshapes-body-fat-and-muscle-more-than-glp-1-drugs/