Dangers of Weight Loss Drugs and Surgery

Tanya Kurzbock
May 25
7 min read

In the pursuit of weight loss, many women—especially those navigating the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause—are being sold quick fixes. From weight loss injections and prescription medications to invasive surgeries like gastric sleeve or bypass, the appeal of rapid results is powerful.

But at what cost?

Danger of weight loss drugs and surgery - be informed

Dangers of Weight Loss Drugs and Surgery

In a world where rapid results are glorified, many women find themselves turning to weight loss medications and bariatric surgery in a desperate bid to regain control of their bodies. While these interventions may promise dramatic outcomes, they often come with hidden costs—physically, emotionally, and metabolically. In this blog, we’ll explore the Dangers of Weight Loss Drugs and Surgery that aren't talked about, and why a more integrative, restorative approach may offer safer, longer-lasting results.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication, or considering surgical or alternative treatments for weight management. The views shared here reflect clinical insights and wellness perspectives and should not replace professional medical guidance.

What Is GLP-1 and Why Does It Matter?

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a naturally occurring incretin hormone produced in the gut, primarily in response to food. It plays a critical role in regulating:

Appetite and satiety (helps you feel full)
Insulin secretion (helps control blood sugar)
Gastric emptying (slows down digestion to enhance nutrient absorption)
Glucose homeostasis (keeps blood sugar balanced)

Pharmaceutical drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro work by mimicking or overstimulating this hormone’s effects—essentially turning off hunger signals, slowing digestion, and enhancing insulin action. While this can lead to rapid weight loss, it overrides the body’s natural regulation systems, often leading to digestive distress, loss of lean muscle, and reliance on ongoing medication.

How Much GLP-1 Does the Body Make Naturally?

The body produces GLP-1 in minute amounts, secreted in response to food—particularly fats, proteins, and fibre-rich meals. Normal physiological levels are tightly regulated and short-acting, which is why they don’t cause the extreme appetite suppression seen with synthetic GLP-1 agonists.

Pharmaceutical GLP-1 drugs can maintain levels up to 100–1000 times higher than what the body would naturally produce, and they persist in the bloodstream for up to a week, versus the natural GLP-1 hormone which is active for only 1–2 minutes post-meal. This intensity and duration far exceed what the body would ever produce on its own, which can desensitise natural hormone pathways over time.

Supporting GLP-1 Naturally

Fortunately, we can stimulate and support natural GLP-1 production through functional nutrition and holistic strategies that nourish rather than override the body’s systems.

Here’s how:

Bitter Foods and Herbal BittersBitters like rocket, dandelion greens, artichoke, grapefruit, turmeric, and herbal formulas support GLP-1 secretion by stimulating the enteroendocrine cells in the gut. These compounds also support bile flow and liver function—important for fat metabolism and detoxification.
High-Fibre DietsSoluble fibre from foods like chia seeds, flaxseeds, legumes, and psyllium husk enhances GLP-1 levels naturally by slowing carbohydrate absorption and supporting microbial fermentation in the gut.
Protein-Rich MealsProtein (especially from high-quality sources like grass-fed meat, eggs, and legumes) can stimulate GLP-1 release and promote satiety without relying on pharmacological suppression.
Healthy FatsFats from avocado, olive oil, and omega-3s not only stabilise blood sugar but also support GLP-1 secretion by activating fat-sensitive receptors in the gut.
Regular Meal TimingAvoiding constant grazing and allowing the gut to rest between meals can help regulate natural hormone rhythms and restore hunger and fullness cues.
Gut Health SupportA balanced microbiome plays a pivotal role in hormone signalling. Fermented foods, prebiotics, and occasional short-term herbal antimicrobials (under practitioner guidance) can rebalance the microbiota and optimise hormone pathways—including GLP-1.

The Hidden Risks of Weight Loss Drugs

Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists are now household names, promoted as miracle solutions for obesity and stubborn weight gain. While these drugs may produce initial weight loss, the long-term consequences are not fully understood due to these being very new to the general population.

Here’s what’s not being talked about enough:

Nutrient Deficiencies: Appetite suppression can lead to chronically low food intake, risking deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Muscle Loss, Not Just Fat Loss: Rapid weight loss often means your body is breaking down muscle, not just fat—which reduces your metabolic rate over time.
Rebound Weight Gain: Many users regain the weight (and sometimes more) when they stop the medication. This cycle can wreak havoc on the metabolism and self-esteem.
Digestive and Hormonal Disruptions: Nausea, vomiting, gallbladder issues, and even thyroid risks are increasingly reported.
Mental Health Impact: The psychological toll of being dependent on a drug for weight control is often overlooked. Food becomes feared, not enjoyed.

The Stomach: More Than Just a Holding Tank

The stomach isn’t just a passive storage site—it plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and metabolic signalling. Its functions are far-reaching and fundamental to whole-body health:

What the Stomach Does:

Acid Production (Hydrochloric Acid)Gastric acid is essential for:
- Breaking down proteins into absorbable amino acids
- Activating pepsin, the enzyme that digests protein
- Sterilising food by killing viruses, parasites, and bacteria
- Creating the right pH environment for vitamin and mineral absorption (particularly iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and B12)
Mechanical ChurningThe stomach’s muscular contractions mix food with enzymes and acid, turning it into chyme (a semi-liquid mass) that can pass into the small intestine for further digestion.
Hormone SignallingThe stomach produces ghrelin (the “hunger hormone”) and plays a role in satiety and gut-brain communication—key for appetite regulation and mood.

What Happens When the Stomach Is Surgically Altered?

In procedures like gastric bypass or gastric sleeve, significant portions of the stomach are either removed or rerouted, disrupting its core functions.

The Consequences:

Reduced Stomach Acid (Hypochlorhydria)A smaller or bypassed stomach produces far less acid, impairing:
- Protein digestion
- Iron and B12 absorption
- The ability to neutralise harmful pathogensThis altered environment can shift the pH of the small intestine, promoting the growth of bacteria where it doesn’t belong—leading to SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and gut dysbiosis.
Impaired Nutrient Absorption With altered digestion, key nutrients are no longer absorbed effectively, often resulting in lifelong deficiencies. Many post-surgical patients require ongoing supplementation of iron, B12, folate, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Loss of Natural Hunger and Fullness Signals Removing parts of the stomach also disrupts hormones like ghrelin, often leading to emotional disconnect from true hunger cues. While this may suppress appetite initially, it can interfere with long-term relationship with food and body awareness.
Immune Changes A compromised stomach environment can impact the entire downstream microbiome. As the first line of defence is weakened, this can lead to more infections, inflammation, and systemic effects—from brain fog and fatigue to autoimmune flare-ups.
Permanent Anatomical Changes The digestive system is surgically altered, which can lead to lifelong digestive issues and complications.
Dysregulated Gut Microbiome In clinical practice, I’ve seen many women years post-surgery struggling with a dysregulated gut microbiome—an often-overlooked consequence of altering the stomach’s natural environment. Reduced stomach acid after procedures like gastric sleeve or bypass can shift the pH of the small intestine, leading to SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) and broader gut dysbiosis. This can impact digestion, immunity, mood, and even weight regulation long-term.
Emotional Toll Many women report that surgery addresses the physical side of weight loss, but not the emotional or psychological roots—leaving them struggling with old habits, cravings, or self-sabotaging beliefs in a changed body.

There’s Another Way: The Leaner Me Protocol

At its core, the Leaner Me Protocol is designed to honour the complexity of the female body, especially during perimenopause and menopause. We don’t believe in patching symptoms or outsourcing your health to pills or procedures. Instead, we guide your body and mind through a gentle but powerful transformation.

What Makes the Leaner Me Protocol Different?

✅ Hormone-Balancing Homeopathics Support your endocrine system naturally, helping to regulate mood, metabolism, and stress response without synthetic hormones. When using the homeopathics alongside the structured diet and meal plans, the body shifts gears to break down stubborn white fat for energy, resulting in fast fat loss whilst preserving muscle.

✅ Targeted Diet Plans Our phased meal plan is designed for metabolic reset, fat burning, and nutrient repletion. It's not about restriction—it's about re-education.

✅ Detox & Supplement Support We use evidence-based naturopathic detox strategies to help your liver, gut, and lymphatic system function optimally, clearing the path for sustainable fat loss and better energy. Every woman is different, and so is her treatment plan, with a full naturopathic consultation included in her program.

✅ Mindset and Inner Work No transformation is complete without addressing the mental and emotional blocks. Our inner work sessions, including NLP and Timeline Therapy®, help release limiting beliefs, emotional weight, and self-sabotage patterns.

Learn More About Leaner Me

The Results Speak for Themselves

Women who go through the Leaner Me Protocol often report:

More consistent energy and better sleep
Balanced moods and reduced anxiety around food
Weight loss that stays off—because it’s built on internal alignment
A renewed sense of control, clarity, and confidence
Healthier habits around food, self-weighing, and more positive self-talk

Read testimonials - CLICK HERE

Real Health Is Not Found in a Prescription Pad or Scalpel

True wellness means working with your body, not against it. It’s about understanding your hormonal rhythm, your emotional drivers, your gut health, and your belief systems. Quick fixes can’t give you that—but Leaner Me can.

If you’ve tried it all and still feel stuck, maybe it’s time for something different—something deeper.