Here are three studies that orthopedic and spine surgeons should know about the effects of weight loss medications, including semaglutides, on patient operations:
1. Weight loss and diabetes medication semaglutide has been linked to a significantly greater risk for repeat operations in patients with diabetes who require lumbar surgery.
2. Researchers found that postoperative complications after total hip replacement are similar between obese patients using semaglutide compared to those who are not.
3. Research has shown that diabetic patients who were taking semaglutide at time of their surgeries did not demonstrate statistically significant higher rates of complications compared with controls, had lower rates of readmission within 90 days of surgery and lower rates of prosthetic joint infection.