This review systematically traces the two-decade evolution of bariatric and metabolic surgery. The high recidivism rate associated with conventional obesity treatments have driven rapid innovation in therapeutic strategies and simultaneously accelerated progress in the surgical management of metabolic diseases. The application of laparoscopic and robotic technologies has not only improved cosmetic outcomes through smaller incisions but also significantly enhanced operational precision, further promoting the adoption and dissemination of surgical interventions. Over time, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass have become the mainstream procedures. Recent research has demonstrated that metabolic surgery mediates its benefits through reprogramming of the neuroendocrine axis, restructuring of the gut microbiota ecosystem, and activation of bile acid signaling pathways. Future efforts should focus on refining long-term complication management protocols and developing individualized prediction models. By utilizing precise phenotyping to optimize procedure selection and implement stratified technical approaches, the field aims to achieve sustained metabolic health.
Both bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), are effective interventions for obesity, yet each has its own advantages and limitations. Drawing on the “bridging” concept from cancer therapy, this commentary explores an innovative obesity management strategy that involves the combined application of GLP-1RA and bariatric surgery during the perioperative period, with the aim of optimizing treatment outcomes. The present analysis focuses specifically on the potential value of this approach: preoperatively, GLP-1RAs serve as a “bridging therapy” to promote weight loss and reduce surgical risks in severely obese patients; postoperatively, they might be used to manage weight rebound or insufficient weight loss. This multimodal integrated strategy is designed to overcome the inherent limitations of single therapies and offer patients more comprehensive treatment options. Emphasizing that future research must urgently focus on optimizing treatment parameters (e.g., timing, dosage), evaluating long-term safety and efficacy, and establishing patient selection criteria for combination therapy. Integrating surgical and pharmacological treatments, this comprehensive strategy based on the oncological “bridging” concept represents a highly promising paradigm shift in obesity management.
Objective To review the changes of gut microbiota after bariatric surgery and the related mechanisms of improving metabolism. Method Domestic and international literatures in recent ten years on the changes of gut microbiota in bariatric surgery and the mechanisms of improving metabolism were collated and summarized. Result The common bariatric procedures performed to date were vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The changes of gut microbiota vary in different surgical procedures, which were related to the changes of diet habits, gastrointestinal anatomy, gastrointestinal hormone levels and metabolic complications. The gut microbiota might improve the body metabolism by regulating the levels of short chain fatty acids, branched chain amino acids and bacterial endotoxin in the intestinal lumen. Conclusions Significant changes are found in gut microbiota after bariatric surgery, which may be involved in the improvement of body metabolism by regulating the level of bacterial endotoxin and microbial metabolite. However, more in-depth mechanisms need to be further clarified.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress of research on the interaction between bariatric surgery and intestinal flora at home and abroad in recent years, in order to provide new ideas for promoting recovery after bariatric surgery. MethodThe domestic and international literature of intestinal flora changes after bariatric surgery was searched and reviewed. ResultsThe main changes of the intestinal flora after bariatric surgery showed that the abundance of thick-walled bacteria was decreased and the numbers of Bacteroides and Aspergillus were increased. Some common complications after bariatric surgery such as anastomotic fistula, nutritional deficiencies, and inflammation were related to the intestinal flora imbalance. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, or fecal microbial transplantation were expected to reduce the incidence of complications after bariatric surgery. ConclusionsBariatric surgery is a durable and effective method for treating obesity and its comorbidities. Changes in individual intestinal flora after bariatric surgery have an impact on both weight loss outcomes and postoperative complications, and it is important to find ways to reduce postoperative complications after bariatric surgery by improving intestinal flora.
Obesity is a disease state characterized by the accumulation of abnormal or excessive fat that threatens human health. With the rapid development of the economy and society and the change in lifestyle, obesity is highly prevalent in our country and has become an important disease that threatens the health of the population. Different from traditional non-surgical treatments, metabolic and bariatric surgery has a definite curative effect, is not easy to rebound, has good safety, and has sufficient evidence of clinical benefit, which can make many obese patients, especially those with moderate to severe obesity, fully recover. The treatment of obesity has become an important means in the comprehensive treatment of obesity. This article intends to describe the application of bariatric metabolic surgery in the comprehensive treatment of obesity from three aspects: bariatric surgery indications, surgical method selection, and perioperative multidisciplinary intervention.
Sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition (SG-TB) was a novel bariatric and metabolic surgery that had received preliminary approval for its effectiveness and safety in reducing weight, improving diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. It showed promising prospects in clinical applications. However, SG-TB also faced some challenges including a small number of cases, insufficient clinical evidence, issues with anastomotic stoma and common channel design, bile reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and malnutrition. Further research is needed to enhance the standardization of SG-TB procedures and provides reference for its wider implementation.
ObjectiveTo explore the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents after metabolic bariatric surgery and to identify influencing factors. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 208 adolescents who underwent metabolic bariatric surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2023 to December 2024. Data on quality of life were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, along with related scale assessments at 6 months. Latent class growth modeling was applied to identify trajectory categories of quality of life. Demographic characteristics and scale points were compared across groups, and unordered multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors. ResultsThree distinct HRQoL trajectories were identified by latent class growth model: low-level improvement group (102 cases, 49.0%), moderate-level stable group (74 cases, 35.6%), and high-level decline group (32 cases, 15.4%). Significant differences were observed among groups in BMI, percentage of excess weight loss (EWL%), points of body image, self-esteem, objective support, support utilization and appearance anxiety index at 6 months after operation (P<0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, patients in the low-level improvement group had the lowest BMI and the highest EWL%, along with higher body image and support utilization points. Patients in the moderate-level stable group experienced less weight reduction than those in the low-level improvement group, with only limited improvement in quality of life. Although patients in the high-level decline group initially had better preoperative quality of life, they showed the least postoperative weight loss, the lowest body image and support utilization points, and higher appearance anxiety points, with a progressive decline in quality of life. Results of unordered multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that postoperative BMI, EWL%, points of body image, and support utilization were influencing factors associated with HRQoL trajectories (P<0.05). ConclusionsMetabolic bariatric surgery improves quality of life in most adolescents, yet a subgroup experiences unfavorable trajectories. Postoperative weight loss, body image, and social support are critical determinants. Early identification and targeted interventions are needed to optimize long-term outcomes.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effects of weight-loss interventions on hormone levels and sexual function in patients with obesity. MethodsThis review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and other databases was performed for studies published within the past decade that investigated the effects of bariatric surgery, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and lifestyle interventions on sex hormones and sexual function. ResultsBariatric surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass) demonstrated the most pronounced improvements in hormonal balance and sexual function. In males, total testosterone levels doubled postoperatively, with marked increase in erectile function score. In females with polycystic ovary syndrome, androgen levels were reduced by 50%, with significant amelioration in the female sexual function index. GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide, liraglutide) partially improved sperm quality and testosterone levels, but were also associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction (with a hazard ratio of approximately 4.5). Lifestyle interventions (e.g., low-calorie diet, exercise) could increase sex hormone-binding globulin levels and improve sexual function score, although their efficacy remained inferior to that of surgery. ConclusionsWeight-loss interventions can alleviate hormonal imbalances and sexual dysfunction in obesity, with bariatric surgery demonstrating the most significant effects. Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions have shown variable efficacy. Future research should further investigate mechanisms underlying effects of different weight-loss modalities on sexual health.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the research progress in the selection of metabolic bariatric procedures, efficacy, safety, complication prevention, and long-term management for elderly patients, so as to provide references for surgical decision-making and perioperative management in future metabolic and bariatric surgery for elderly obese patients. MethodA review of recent domestic and international literature on metabolic and bariatric surgery in elderly patients was conducted. ResultsWith the intensification of societal aging, the incidence of obesity and related metabolic diseases among the elderly population has significantly increased. Metabolic and bariatric surgery has been proven to effectively reduce weight and improve obesity-related metabolic diseases in elderly patients. Current guidelines no longer consider age an absolute contraindication for surgery. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most commonly used procedures internationally. SG is superior to RYGB in terms of surgical safety, while RYGB has greater advantages in improving metabolic diseases. Although the postoperative mortality and complications risks in elderly obese patients are higher than those in younger obese patients, strict preoperative assessment and individualized procedure selection can significantly reduce these risks. ConclusionsMetabolic and bariatric surgery can serve as an effective treatment for elderly obese patients, offering comprehensive benefits in weight loss and metabolic improvement. Procedure selection requires individualized assessment, balancing the patient’s baseline condition and metabolic needs. Postoperative success hinges on systematic long-term follow-up and management to ensure sustained benefits and safety. Future efforts should focus on clarifying the definitions or standards of “elderly” and “obesity,” followed by more large-sample, long-term follow-up randomized controlled studies to validate the safety and efficacy of metabolic and bariatric surgery.
Metabolic and bariatric surgery has continued to evolve under the dual imperatives of efficacy and safety. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) with transit bipartition (SG-TB), derived from SG, reconstructs a “dual-channel” pathway that preserves the pylorus and proximal small-bowel function, while aiming to achieve metabolic effects comparable to biliopancreatic diversion with fewer severe nutritional complications. In 2025, the first Chinese expert consensus on SG-TB was released, and the inaugural international SG-TB consensus meeting was convened in Europe, reaching preliminary alignment on procedure classification, key technical parameters, and indications/contraindications. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that SG-TB confers advantages in weight reduction, remission of type 2 diabetes, and prevention of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and also demonstrates feasibility in revisional surgeries and complex cases. Nevertheless, current studies are predominantly observational, with limited evidence quality and considerable heterogeneity. Stratification of surgical parameters and establishment of reproducible training systems remain unmet needs. Building upon a synthesis of national and international consensus statements and recent clinical advances, this commentary further analyzes the challenges that SG-TB faces in procedural heterogeneity, evidence accumulation, individualized practice, and mechanistic research. This commentary seeks to offer practical reference and research directions for the bariatric community, ultimately supporting the advancement of SG-TB from a promising technique toward standardized and mainstream adoption.