Doctors often recommend preparing for weight loss surgery by losing weight beforehand and making healthy lifestyle changes. This review looked at different preparation strategies—like special diets, stomach balloons, and new weight loss medications—to see if they really help. While some methods can help people lose weight before surgery, scientists haven’t found strong proof that these preparations reduce surgery risks or improve long-term results. The research shows we need better studies to know which preparation methods work best.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether preparing for weight loss surgery with diet, medications, or special devices helps people lose more weight and have safer surgeries
  • Who participated: This was a review of many different studies about people preparing for weight loss surgery. The studies included different groups of people with obesity
  • Key finding: Some preparation methods like low-calorie diets, stomach balloons, and GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic) can help people lose weight before surgery, but scientists haven’t proven these methods make surgery safer or improve results after surgery
  • What it means for you: If you’re considering weight loss surgery, talk with your doctor about preparation options. While some methods may help you lose weight beforehand, we don’t yet have clear evidence that one approach is definitely better than others

The Research Details

This was a review article, meaning researchers looked at many existing studies about preparing for weight loss surgery instead of doing their own new study. They searched through current medical literature to find all the different strategies doctors use to help patients prepare for surgery. The researchers then compared what these studies found to see if any preparation methods were clearly better than others.

The review examined three main preparation strategies: special low-calorie diets, intragastric balloons (small balloons placed in the stomach to reduce hunger), and GLP-1 medications (newer drugs that help control appetite). The researchers looked at whether these methods helped people lose weight before surgery and whether they made surgery safer or improved results afterward.

Because the researchers were reviewing many different studies with different methods and patient groups, they found the information was very mixed and hard to compare directly.

Understanding what actually helps before weight loss surgery is important because surgery is a big decision with real risks. If doctors knew which preparation methods truly made surgery safer or improved results, they could give patients better advice. Right now, different doctors recommend different things, so patients might get different guidance depending on where they go.

This review has some important limitations to understand. The researchers couldn’t do their own controlled study, so they had to rely on other people’s research. Many of the studies they looked at were small or used different methods, making it hard to compare results fairly. The review is honest about these problems and doesn’t overstate what the evidence shows. However, because this is a review of existing research rather than a new study, it can’t prove cause-and-effect—it can only show what other studies found.

What the Results Show

The review found that people can lose weight before surgery using three main approaches. Low-calorie diets help people lose weight in the weeks before surgery. Intragastric balloons—small balloons placed temporarily in the stomach—also help reduce appetite and weight. Newer medications called GLP-1 agonists (which include drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy) also help with weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.

However, the most important finding is what the studies did NOT show. Even though these preparation methods help people lose weight, the studies haven’t proven that this weight loss makes surgery safer or reduces complications. The researchers also couldn’t find clear evidence that preparing this way improves how much weight people lose after surgery or how well they keep it off long-term.

The data from different studies was very different from each other, making it hard to draw strong conclusions. Some studies showed benefits, others didn’t, and many studies were too small or designed differently to compare fairly. This inconsistency is why the researchers say we need better research before making uniform recommendations.

The review noted that while some preparation strategies are becoming standard practice in some hospitals, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re proven to work better. Some doctors use these methods because they seem logical or because they help patients feel more prepared, even if the scientific evidence isn’t strong yet. The researchers also found that different hospitals and countries use different preparation approaches, suggesting there’s no clear agreement on what works best.

This review adds to growing questions about pre-surgery weight loss. Previous research has focused mainly on whether surgery itself works for long-term weight loss, and it does. However, newer research is asking whether preparing beforehand adds extra benefits. This review suggests that while preparation may help in the short term, we don’t yet know if it changes the ultimate success of surgery. The findings fit with a broader trend in medicine of questioning whether all recommended preparations actually improve outcomes.

This review has several important limitations. First, it only looked at existing studies rather than collecting new data, so it can’t prove that preparation methods cause better outcomes. Second, the studies being reviewed were very different from each other—different patient groups, different preparation methods, different time periods, and different ways of measuring success. This makes it hard to draw firm conclusions. Third, many studies were small, which means their results might not apply to larger groups of people. Finally, the review couldn’t find enough good-quality studies on some preparation methods, so the evidence for some approaches is weaker than others.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, work with your surgical team to develop a preparation plan. Some preparation methods (like low-calorie diets, stomach balloons, or GLP-1 medications) can help you lose weight before surgery, which may make you feel better and more confident going in. However, understand that we don’t yet have strong proof that these methods reduce surgery risks or improve long-term results. The confidence level for recommending specific preparation methods is currently low, meaning doctors should personalize recommendations based on individual patient needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

This research matters most for people considering weight loss surgery and their doctors. If you’re exploring weight loss surgery as an option, these findings suggest you should ask your surgical team what preparation they recommend and why. It’s reasonable to ask whether the preparation method they suggest has strong evidence behind it. People with serious health conditions related to obesity might benefit most from preparation, as it could help improve those conditions before surgery. However, this research doesn’t change the fact that weight loss surgery itself is an effective treatment for obesity.

If you use preparation methods before surgery, you might see weight loss within weeks. However, the real question—whether preparation improves surgery safety and long-term results—takes months to years to answer properly. Don’t expect preparation alone to solve weight problems; it’s meant to support the surgery, not replace it. Long-term weight management after surgery typically takes 1-2 years to fully develop.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If preparing for weight loss surgery, track weekly weight, waist measurement, and how you feel physically (energy level, ability to exercise, breathing). Use a simple 1-10 scale to rate how ready you feel for surgery. This helps you and your doctor see if preparation is working for you personally.
  • Work with your app to follow whatever preparation plan your doctor recommends. If using a low-calorie diet, log meals to stay on track. If taking GLP-1 medication, set reminders for doses. If getting a stomach balloon, use the app to track hunger levels and food choices. The key is consistency with whatever method you choose.
  • Track preparation progress weekly and share results with your surgical team at appointments. After surgery, continue tracking weight and health improvements for at least 6-12 months. This long-term tracking helps you and your doctor understand what preparation method worked best for you and informs better choices if you or others need surgery in the future.

This review summarizes current research on preparing for weight loss surgery but does not constitute medical advice. The evidence for specific preparation methods is still developing, and what works best varies by individual. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, consult with a qualified bariatric surgeon who can evaluate your specific situation, health conditions, and goals. Do not start any new diet, medication, or preparation method without discussing it with your healthcare provider first. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical guidance.