Chandigarh: The department of general surgery, PGI has seen a comeback for its bariatric program. After recording zero cases in 2024, the department successfully performed three high-impact Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomies in 2025.However, this surgical comeback arrives at a crossroads. As PGI scales its programme, the global medical community is debating whether the “scalpel” will soon be eclipsed by the “syringe” following the rise of GLP-1 therapies like semaglutide and tirzepatide.Under L Dr Kaman, head of general surgery, PGI is positioning bariatric surgery as not just weight loss, but as a “metabolic rescue.” The programme’s appeal is bolstered by its affordability, offering life-saving procedures at one-fourth the cost of private hospitals.A bride-to-be and former kickboxer shed nearly 80 kg in six months post-surgery, transitioning from a debilitating state back to the ring. A patient suffering from life-threatening obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and gallstones underwent a single operative sitting that resolved both, providing immediate respiratory relief.A 38-year-old man who had lost his basic mobility lost 40 kg in just four month, allowing him to return to an active life with his children.The surge in PGI’s surgical numbers — from zero to three — marks a 2025 milestone, but the shadow of GLP-1 receptor agonists looms large. Many surgeons fear bariatric surgery may “lose its shine” as patients increasingly opt for weekly injections over the operating table.While GLP-1 drugs offer a non-invasive alternative, experts at PGI and beyond are issuing a “word of caution.” Unlike the definitive metabolic reset of a sleeve gastrectomy, GLP-1 therapy requires lifelong adherence and carries specific risks:Clinical data suggests these drugs can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels, particularly in certain patient profiles. While surgery fundamentally alters the gut’s anatomy and hormone signaling, drug-induced weight loss often plateaus or reverses if the medication is stopped.“As PGI moves ahead , the question remains: will the bariatric program continue its upward trajectory, or will the ‘miracle jab’ turn these three success stories into a passe?” said a surgeon.
