July 8, 2025
There is no doubt that the number of weight loss (bariatric) surgeries has fallen, due to the competition from the GLP-1 drugs, since 2022. Marketdata (the owner of DietBusinessWatch.com) has estimated that procedure volume has declined 25% since 2022, to 211,000 procedures in 2024, as Americans opted for the new drugs instead. This weight loss surgery market segment is worth $5.29 billion. So, how are these surgeons coping with less business?
Anecdotal evidence reveals that bariatric surgeons (particularly those in independent or group practices) are diversifying primarily into medical weight loss, GLP-1 medications and aesthetics. Many are doing this through an “extender” (physician assistant, nurse practitioner), and some are using a bariatrician. Many are also doubling down on their general surgery volume as well if they are still doing general surgery. Some are also dabbling or getting more involved in Lifestyle Medicine and Functional Medicine.
For health systems, some surgeons are using extenders to provide GLP-1 medications, some are partnering or adding a bariatrician to their program, and some are just keeping ‘business as usual’ with more of a focus on general surgery.
Learn More About The Medical Weight Loss Market
Marketdata LLC has published a 154-page analysis of the U.S. weight loss market, entitled: “The U.S. Medical Weight Loss Market: The Impact of GLP-1 Drugs on Doctors, Hospitals, Clinics and Franchises”, February 2025. This report presents a complete picture of the medical weight loss market in the United States, with the inter-relationships between competing MDs, clinics, surgeons, commercial weight loss companies and pharmaceutical firms.
At no other time in the U.S. weight loss market history has one product so dominated the market as have the new GLP-1 weight loss drugs. American dieters have flocked to them, shunning commercial weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers, Medifast, as well as retail and MLM meal replacements.
Demand soared in 2023 and 2024 for Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, Mounjaro and Zepbound — with more new drugs coming in the next few years.
The booming market for GLP-1 drugs has attracted physicians, nurses, dieticians, telemedicine services, medical weight loss franchises, compounding pharmacies, and entrepreneurs – all looking to cash in. However, the party may soon be over for the compounders, as the FDA declared and end to the shortage of the major drugs.
Some Report Findings:
- The value of the U.S. medical weight loss market is estimated to have more than tripled since 2019, to $33.8 billion in 2024. Average annual growth of 12% is forecast through 2028.
- The prescription obesity drugs market soared from $5.0 billion in 2022 to $26.4 billion by 2024, due to the high demand for new GLP-1 drugs. More than 8% of Americans are now estimated to be using them.
- The number of weight loss surgeries has declined 25% since 2022, to 211,000 procedures, as Americans opted for the new drugs instead. This market segment is worth $5.29 billion.
- Hospitals have had a mixed record with weight loss programs. Only 29% of the nation’s hospitals (about 1,400) provide some form of weight loss program – surgery or a non-surgical program.
- Medical weight loss programs represented 11.7% of the total U.S. weight loss market in 2022, but this share is forecast to triple to 36% by 2028.
- Prescription weight loss drugs have stolen major market share from commercial weight loss companies, the meal replacements market, health clubs, the bariatric surgery market, and more.
- The top 11 medical weight loss franchises and regional chains are estimated to generate $264 million in system-wide sales annually. Most franchises are not growing.
Purchase This Report
The report may be purchased at the Marketdata website’s store. Price: $1,495. Or call: 813-971-8080. Table of Contents available, see home page, link for Diet Market – Our Specialty.