Adult Bariatric Surgery Volumes Fell After 2022
New research shows bariatric surgery rates declined significantly between 2023 and 2024 following years of growth.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Weight Loss
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Adult bariatric surgery volume in the United States declined by 11% annually throughout 2023 and 2024. This trend marked a reversal of the consistent 4% annual growth observed from 2015 to 2022.
Why it matters
The shift in surgical volume follows the expanded availability and widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity care. This medical development has altered the landscape of how patients and providers approach weight management.
Researchers analyzed nearly 2 million patient records across 959 accredited centers. Adults undergoing surgery had a mean preoperative BMI of 46.5, while adolescents had a mean preoperative BMI of 49.1.
The details
While adult surgery rates dropped, adolescent bariatric surgery volume showed no significant trend change, totaling 820 procedures in 2024. Sleeve gastrectomy remained the most commonly performed procedure, and surgery volume for Hispanic and Latino adults increased despite the overall national decline.
Timeline
From 2015 to 2022, adult surgery volume grew by 4% annually.
Adult surgery volume peaked in 2022 with 229,826 procedures.
During 2023 and 2024, adult surgery volume fell by 11% annually.
Health Landscape
This decline in surgical volume tracks with the broader shift in obesity treatment toward pharmaceutical interventions like GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medical developments have shifted the healthcare landscape, moving away from invasive procedures toward pharmacotherapy.
Patients considering weight management now have broader access to pharmacological options that have changed the traditional reliance on surgical procedures. Individuals should consult their primary care providers to discuss which clinical path aligns best with their specific health profile.
The takeaway
The decline in surgeries highlights a pivotal moment where pharmaceutical options are increasingly supplementing or replacing surgical weight loss. Readers should discuss evolving treatment standards with their doctors to understand current options for managing obesity.
Further reading
For more on the current medical landscape, explore the latest Weight Loss research.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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Do you believe weight-loss drugs are a better long-term obesity treatment than bariatric surgery?
