Tirzepatide for Recurrent Weight Gain after Bariatric Procedures: Real-World Evidence of Efficacy and Safety.

Vinciguerra F, Di Stefano C, Guccione F, Degano C, Nigro S, Baratta R, Piazza L, Navarra G, Frittitta L

Obesity surgery5 Jun 2026

PMID42247124PMCIDPMC13323781DOI10.1007/s11695-026-08754-7PepBankPUB-42247124

Summary

BackgroundRecurrent weight gain after bariatric surgery (BS) or endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) remains a long-term clinical challenge, potentially undermining long-term treatment success. Tirzepatide, a dual agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, has shown promising results in obesity treatment, but data regarding its use in post BS or EBT recurrent weight gain are limited.MethodsThis observational cohort study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of tirzepatide in patients with recurrent weight gain after BS or EBT. Anthropometric data, BMI categories, and adverse events were collected at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment.ResultsA total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week). After 24 weeks, the mean percentage total body weight loss (%TBWL) was 18.1 ± 5.6% (p < 0.0001), with a significant reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.0001). Most patients shifted to lower BMI categories, with the majority reaching overweight or normal weight status. Adverse events were exclusively gastrointestinal (constipation, diarrhea, nausea), generally mild, and did not lead to treatment discontinuation.ConclusionPreliminary evidence suggests that tirzepatide is associated with significant weight loss and good tolerability in this observational cohort for managing recurrent weight gain after bariatric surgery and endoscopic bariatric therapy. These findings suggest a potential role for tirzepatide as a valuable nonsurgical option in the multidisciplinary management of patients experiencing recurrent weight gain after bariatric procedures.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

5 results from studies that gave the peptide. 5 results from people.

01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with recurrent weight gain after bariatric surgery or endoscopic therapy, tirzepatide gave a mean total body weight loss of 18.1% after 24 weeks.
In plain wordsIn patients who regained weight after bariatric procedures, tirzepatide was linked to a mean weight loss of 18.1% after 24 weeks.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreasePercentage total body weight loss at 24 weeks
Study
n = 34
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
2.5-10 mg/week · subcutaneous · 24 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
%TBWL
18.1%
24 weeks
Source sentences
Summary
the mean percentage total body weight loss (%TBWL) was 18.1 ± 5.6% (p < 0.0001)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4224712401
02HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with recurrent weight gain after bariatric surgery or endoscopic therapy, waist circumference fell significantly after 24 weeks of tirzepatide.
In plain wordsIn patients who regained weight after bariatric procedures, waist size was smaller after 24 weeks of tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreaseWaist circumference at 24 weeks
Study
n = 34
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
2.5-10 mg/week · subcutaneous · 24 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
with a significant reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.0001).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4224712402
03HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In patients with recurrent weight gain after bariatric surgery or endoscopic therapy, most patients shifted to lower BMI categories after tirzepatide, and the majority reached overweight or normal weight status.
In plain wordsIn patients who regained weight after bariatric procedures, most moved to a lower body mass index group after tirzepatide.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI category shift at 24 weeks
Study
n = 34
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
2.5-10 mg/week · subcutaneous · 24 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Most patients shifted to lower BMI categories, with the majority reaching overweight or normal weight status.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4224712403
04HumanObservational studySafety outcome
In patients with recurrent weight gain after bariatric procedures, adverse events with tirzepatide were exclusively gastrointestinal (constipation, diarrhea, nausea) and generally mild.
In plain wordsIn patients who regained weight after bariatric procedures, side effects of tirzepatide were stomach and bowel problems, mostly mild.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
Not applicableGastrointestinal adverse events
Study
n = 34
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
2.5-10 mg/week · subcutaneous · 24 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Adverse events were exclusively gastrointestinal (constipation, diarrhea, nausea), generally mild
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4224712404
05HumanObservational studySafety outcome
In patients with recurrent weight gain after bariatric procedures, adverse events with tirzepatide did not lead to treatment discontinuation.
In plain wordsIn patients who regained weight after bariatric procedures, no one stopped tirzepatide because of side effects.
Peptide
Tirzepatide
Outcome
Not applicableTreatment discontinuation due to adverse events
Study
n = 34
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
2.5-10 mg/week · subcutaneous · 24 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
did not lead to treatment discontinuation.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 34 patients (26 females, 8 males) who experienced recurrent weight gain after BS (n = 32) or EBT (n = 2) were treated with once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide (dosing range 2.5-10 mg/week).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4224712405

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:07 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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