Cross-category comparison
Mounjaro vs Gastric Sleeve
Different categories, normalised only where comparison is meaningful.
Mounjaro
Up to ~20%+ mean loss in obesity trials; direct head-to-head 20.2% at 72 weeks vs 13.7% semaglutide 1.7/2.4 mg in SURMOUNT-5
VS
Sleeve gastrectomy
NHS/private UK sources commonly describe substantial total-body-weight loss; Imperial Private gives an approximate 25% body-weight figure as a practical anchor
Shared dimensions
| Dimension | Mounjaro | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Relative weight-loss potential / intensity | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| Typical speed / access to effect | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Lower procedural / medical burden | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Ease of stopping, reversing or changing route | 9/10 | 1/10 |
| Lower cost / easier access | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Long-term maintenance simplicity | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Evidence maturity / depth | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Day-to-day or pathway convenience | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Category-specific detail
| Issue | Mounjaro | Sleeve gastrectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomical change | Not applicable | Around 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow sleeve |
| Diabetes / metabolic | Not applicable | Strong metabolic benefit, but bypass may be favoured in some diabetes/reflux contexts |
| Evidence anchor | Up to ~20%+ mean loss in obesity trials; direct head-to-head 20.2% at 72 weeks vs 13.7% semaglutide 1.7/2.4 mg in SURMOUNT-5 | Not applicable |
| How it works | Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist | Not applicable |
| How taken | Weekly injection — Once weekly | Not applicable |
| Main trade-offs | Injection; GI side effects can be limiting; Access and NHS rollout are not the same as NICE eligibility; Ongoing treatment cost/maintenance matters if private | Not applicable |
| Maintenance | Long-term treatment may be needed; stopping can be followed by regain | Not applicable |
| NHS context | NICE-recommended; NHS access is phased / pathway-dependent | Common NHS bariatric procedure where specialist assessment supports it |
| Nutrition burden | Not applicable | Long-term vitamin/mineral supplementation and monitoring required |
| Procedure type | Not applicable | Laparoscopic surgery |
| Reflux | Not applicable | Can worsen or cause reflux in some people |
| Reversible | Not applicable | No |
| Revision | Not applicable | Can be converted/revised to bypass-type procedures when clinically appropriate |
| UK licence | UK weight management licence | Not applicable |
Do not add the scores together.
The bars are there to expose trade-offs. They are not a validated overall suitability index.
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