164 Is Pharmacotherapy a Threat to the Field of Bariatric Surgery? – A Perspective from Surgical Trainees and Consultants

Abstract Background Obesity has been a problem for centuries; bariatric surgery has long been regarded as the most effective treatment for severe obesity and its associated comorbidities. However, the rapid advancement of pharmacological therapies—particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs)—has significantly altered the therapeutic landscape. These agents offer substantial weight loss benefits with fewer risks, raising important questions about the future role of bariatric surgery. We explored whether pharmacotherapy poses a threat to the field of bariatric surgery from the perspective of surgical trainees and consultants. Method A structured survey was disseminated via Google Forms targeting surgical trainees and consultants to assess their perceptions of pharmacotherapy's impact on bariatric surgical practice, training opportunities, and future career implications. Results & Conclusion Pharmacotherapy offers a less invasive and increasingly effective alternative for weight loss, 80% of people think these agents/injections are affecting the future of bariatric surgery and the demand for bariatric surgery has moderately decreased. 86% believe the availability of medications like Mounjaro/Ozempic necessitates changes in the current training or guidelines for bariatric surgery. Surgical trainees recognise the growing relevance of pharmacotherapy but largely view it as a complementary rather than competitive modality. This evolving dynamic calls for enhanced multidisciplinary training and adaptive roles for future bariatric surgeons.