GLP-1s for Perimenopausal Weight Gain: What a Top Bariatric Surgeon Wants You to Know | EP224
REPLAY! Bariatric surgery is the most effective tool for lasting weight loss, and her experience performing thousands of procedures has given Dr. Betsy Dovec a clear understanding of what can help patients succeed.
In this episode of Wellness Junkies, host Amy Sherman sits down with Dr. Dovec, a top female bariatric surgeon and founder of BodyByBariatrics, to break down the decision between bariatric surgery vs GLP-1 medications from the perspective of someone who treats patients with both options every day. Dr. Dovec explains what gastric bypass surgery involves, why some patients go home the same day, and who may be an ideal candidate.
The conversation then turns to GLP-1 weight loss medications. Amy and Dr. Dovec compare Ozempic and Zepbound, the often-overlooked side effects, and explain why weight regain is common after patients stop taking these medications. Dr. Dovec also shares why some post-surgery patients respond well to GLP-1 medications and how the combination may help support their long-term results.
For women in midlife, this episode examines how GLP-1 medications may fit into treatment for weight gain during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Dovec explains why the habits you once relied on may become less effective as your hormones shift. She also discusses the health risks associated with visceral fat and the potential role of GLP-1 treatment in reducing the internal fat linked to heart attacks, strokes, and fatty liver disease.
If you have tried every diet and still feel stuck, this conversation about bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications offers a clearer framework for understanding your options.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Betsy Dovec
01:28 What Gastric Bypass Surgery Actually Involves
04:55 Who Qualifies as a Bariatric Surgery Candidate
06:30 Bariatric Surgery vs GLP-1 for Long-Term Success
09:37 Why GLP-1 Medications Are a Hot Topic
10:57 Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Dosing Explained
13:34 Same Drug Different Label for Diabetes and Weight Loss
15:54 Oral GLP-1 Pills and What Comes Next
17:25 Brand-Name vs. Compounded GLP-1 Medications
21:13 GLP-1 Benefits During Perimenopause and Menopause
23:13 Breaking the Stigma Around GLP-1 Use
27:26 Visceral Fat Differences in Men and Women
30:55 Sugar, Fatty Liver, and Visceral Fat Risks
32:56 How Surgery and GLP-1 Both Reduce Visceral Fat
36:40 Inside the OR Surgery Time and Recovery
38:38 Dr. Dovec's Beauty and Self-Care Routine
48:07 Where to Find Dr. Betsy Dovec
About Dr. Betsy Dovec:
Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Dovec is the top female bariatric weight loss surgeon in the world. She is a trailblazing surgeon and the founder and CEO of BodyByBariatrics and The Surgical Institute of Central Florida in Orlando. Over the past 12+ years, she has performed more than 6,500 bariatric surgeries. Passionate about ending obesity stigma, she advocates for treating obesity as a chronic medical disease, not a personal failure, and provides unprecedented lifelong support.
Visit BodyByBariatrics Website
Follow BodyByBariatrics TikTok
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Wellness Junkies is a relatable wellbeing, beauty, and lifestyle brand founded by sisters-in-law Amy Sherman and Katie Chandler. They explore and explain beauty, skincare, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and more with an approachable style aimed at helping everyone achieve a lifestyle to help you feel your best.
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