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Purpose Bariatric surgery, as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB), and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is considered the gold standard treatment to achieve long-term weight loss in severe obesity. In patients who fail to maintain the achieved weight, pharmacological treatment may be required. Here, we reported our real-life experience on the efficacy of liraglutide therapy in 62 patients who regained weight after bariatric surgery. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 62 (60 F-2 M; mean age: 43.6 ± 9.9 years) patients received liraglutide for weight loss after bariatric surgery (17 RYGB, 22 LGB, and 23 LSG). Body mass index (BMI) before and after surgery was, respectively, of 45.4 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and 29.5 ± 4.9 kg/m2. Patients were followed up from 2016 until 2021. Liraglutide was administered after weight regain once-daily subcutaneously at starting dose of 0.6 mg and with weekly increases up to 3.0 mg. Treatments were administered when a weight regain of 10–15% occurred after reaching a minimum weight loss from bariatric surgery or if weight loss after bariatric surgery was unsatisfactory. Results After a mean of 70.7 ± 43.7 months from any bariatric surgery, all patients started liraglutide therapy. At this time, mean BMI was 34.2 ± 4.8 kg/m2 (mean increased BMI: 4.7 ± 2.8 kg/m2). After a mean of 10.5 ± 4.4 months from the beginning of liraglutide, 9 patients achieved normal weight (BMI 24.1 ± 0.9 kg/m2), and 28 were overweight (BMI 26.9 ± 1.6 kg/m2). Twenty patients achieved grade I (BMI 32.1 ± 1.5 kg/m2), 5 grade II (BMI 37.3 ± 2.0 kg/m2) obesity, and none had grade III obesity (mean BMI change: − 5.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2). The treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusion These data confirm the efficacy and safety of liraglutide in patients who experienced weight regain after bariatric surgery. Considering the long-term follow-up, patients should be followed up regularly and the pharmacological treatment should be adapted to the weight fluctuations observed during the clinical history. Level of evidence V. Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Purpose Bariatric surgery, as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is considered the gold standard treatment to achieve long-term weight-loss in severe obesity. In patients who fail to maintain the achieved weight, pharmacological treatment may be required. Here, we reported our real-life experience on efficacy of liraglutide therapy in 62 patients who regained weight after bariatric surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 62 (60 F-2 M; mean age: 43.6±9.9 years) patients received liraglutide for weight-loss after bariatric surgery (17 RYGB, 22 LGB and 23 LSG). Body mass index (BMI) before and after surgery was respectively of 45.4±5.5 kg/m2 and 29.5±4.9 kg/m2. Patients were followed from 2016 until 2021. Liraglutide was administered after weight regain once-daily subcutaneously at starting dose of 0.6 mg and with weekly increases up to 3.0 mg. Treatments were administered when a weight regain of 10-15% occurred after reaching a minimum weight-loss from bariatric surgery or if weight-loss after bariatric surgery was unsatisfactory. ResultsAfter a mean of 70.7±43.7 months from any bariatric surgery, all patients started liraglutide therapy. At this time, mean BMI was 34.2±4.8 kg/m2 (mean increased BMI: 4.7±2.8 kg/m2). After a mean of 10.5±4.4 months from the beginning of liraglutide, 9 patients achieved normal weight (BMI 24.1±0.9 kg/m2), 28 were overweight (BMI 26.9±1.6 kg/m2). Twenty patients achieved grade I (BMI 32.1±1.5 kg/m2), 5 grade II (BMI 37.3±2.0 kg/m2) obesity, none had grade III obesity (mean BMI change: -5.1±2.5 kg/m2). The treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were recorded.ConclusionThese data confirm the efficacy and safety of liraglutide in patients who experienced weight regain after bariatric surgery. Considering the long-term follow-up, patients should be followed up regularly and the pharmacological treatment should be adapted to the weight fluctuations observed during the clinical history.

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