Weight-loss Surgery and Medications in 2026: Your Questions Answered

Every January, millions of Australians set new weight-management goals for themselves. Yet many plans stall within weeks, not because people lack motivation, but because they lack the right strategies, support, and tools to sustain change.

Looking ahead to 2026, the weight-loss landscape is changing rapidly.

Melbourne Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgeon Dr Jason Winnett and the team at Winnett Specialist Group answer patients’ most asked questions for 2026.

What is ‘Ozempic 2.0’ and how does it compare to other weight-loss medications?

‘Ozempic 2.0’ isn’t an official product name, but an informal nickname for the next generation of weight-loss medications expected to shape weight management in 2026.

These include potential tablet (oral) GLP-1 treatments, stronger or longer-acting injections, and even less frequent dosing options, such as higher-dose treatments taken monthly.

Together, they mean more choice and flexibility for patients than ever before.

Early research is promising. In one large medical study, participants taking an oral form of semaglutide lost around 15% of their body weight over about 18 months, compared with minimal weight loss on placebo*1.

A hand holding weight-loss medications

In another study, a combination medication of cagrilintide plus semaglutide achieved over 20% average weight loss*2.

However, it’s important to understand that many of these ‘2.0’ options are still under regulatory review and are not yet approved. We don’t yet have long-term real-world data about side effects or what happens when treatment stops.

Bariatric surgery or weight-loss medications: which is more effective?

For some people, medication is a helpful first step. But for others, bariatric surgery may still be the most effective and durable option, especially if you have:

a BMI of 40 or higher
a BMI of 35 or higher with conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea, or
a BMI of 30 or higher with type 2 diabetes that remains difficult to control despite medication and lifestyle changes

A large two-year study (30,458 patients) found bariatric surgery delivered more durable weight loss than GLP-1 therapy: 96% of surgical patients maintained a weight loss of ≥10% (vs 45.9% on GLP-1s), with average total weight loss of 28.3% (vs 10.3%)*3.

A surprising finding from that study is that the cost of surgery was about $18,330 (AUD) lower than GLP-1 treatment over two years.

As Dr Winnett explains, ‘Both medications and surgery can be life-changing, but treatment needs to be matched to the individual. For many patients with more severe obesity, surgery remains the strongest long-term investment in their health.’

Find out more about whether weight-loss surgery or medications are more effective.

What is ‘dumping syndrome’?

After bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand that dumping syndrome is a common and manageable side effect, particularly after gastric bypass (and sometimes after sleeve surgery).

Dr Winnett says, ‘Dumping syndrome occurs when high-sugar and high-energy foods (think soft drinks, fruit juices, white bread, pasta, and rice) move too quickly from the stomach into the large bowel.’

’There are two types of dumping. There’s early dumping, which occurs straight after eating and involves nausea, diarrhoea, fatigue, and sweating. Then there’s later dumping, which can happen 1 to 3 hours after a meal and can lead to hypoglycaemia: sweating, anxiety, confusion, hunger, and tremors.’

How can I manage dumping syndrome?

The good news is that, for most patients, dumping syndrome improves significantly with appropriate dietary changes.

The best way to avoid dumping syndrome is to make some simple changes to your diet after bariatric surgery. This includes:

Avoiding sugar, refined carbohydrates, and junk food
Avoiding greasy or spicy foods
Avoiding alcohol
Eating smaller portions instead of large meals (regardless of food type)
Avoiding liquids for at least 30 minutes of a solid meal

How long will I be on a liquid diet after bariatric surgery?

‘On the first day in hospital, you’ll start with clear fluids only, like broth, juice, decaf tea or coffee, gelatine, and icy poles,’ says Winnett Specialist Group Dietitian Ashleigh Gale.

‘After you go home, most patients follow a mostly liquid plan for around 14 days, focusing on high-protein options and keeping carbohydrates to a minimum. This usually includes protein shakes, lump-free soups, and other smooth, nourishing fluids taken slowly and in small, frequent sips.’

After the first two weeks, patients typically progress to a blended purée stage. Meals are usually eaten 3 to 6 times a day, with portion sizes kept very small – around 4 to 6 tablespoons per meal.

Suitable foods may include high-protein yoghurt, cottage cheese, soft scrambled eggs, cooked cereal, puréed fruit and vegetables, puréed tuna with avocado, and strained cream soups.

If you need thin foods, blend them with water, skim milk or broth to achieve a smooth texture (no lumps), and always eat slowly to help your stomach adjust.

What are some tips for returning to firmer foods after bariatric surgery?

Most patients can start moving back towards firmer textures at around eight weeks, depending on how well they’re tolerating earlier stages and what your surgeon/dietitian has advised.

At this point, many people can return to three small meals a day, with portions still kept modest (about 1 to 1.5 cups per meal).

Good, ‘easy-to-manage’ options include one slice of low-carb bread, eggs, a small banana, mashed potato, a small orange, and 60-70 g of lean turkey.

Eat slowly, chew well, and stop as soon as you feel comfortably full.

How should I adjust my eating and lifestyle habits after bariatric surgery?

After surgery, how you eat matters just as much as what you eat.

These simple habits can help you feel fuller, protect your new stomach, reduce reflux and dumping symptoms, and support steady, sustainable weight loss.

– Keep meals small (about the size of a side plate)

– Use meal replacements like protein shakes to meet nutritional needs

– Weigh yourself only once a week rather than daily to avoid discouragement from day-to-day weight fluctuations

– Incorporate high protein levels in your diet with foods like yoghurt, beef, fish, turkey, and eggs

– Drink and eat slowly and in small amounts

– Aim for 10,000 steps a day

– Sleep for 7-9 hours per night, as inadequate rest can slow healing and increase hunger for high-calorie foods

– Avoid eating while watching TV, as distracted eating can lead to poor recognition of fullness cues

– Don’t drink more than one or two glasses of alcohol a week

– Avoid packaged processed foods

– Drink liquids between meals, rather than with meals, which can leave you feeling overly full and reduce how much nutritious food you consume.

What other foods should I limit or avoid after bariatric surgery?

After surgery, some foods are more likely to trigger dumping symptoms, discomfort, or poor tolerance.

Many patients do best by limiting or avoiding white bread, carbonated drinks, raw vegetables, and fibrous cooked vegetables (such as celery, broccoli, corn or cabbage), especially early after surgery.

Also, take care with tough meats or meat with gristle, red meat, fried foods, and highly seasoned or spicy foods. Foods like nuts, seeds, and popcorn can be difficult to tolerate.

If you choose pizza, keep it to no more than one slice, ideally thin crust, and see how your body responds.

How much weight will I lose after bariatric surgery?

Weight loss after bariatric surgery tends to follow a fairly predictable pattern, but the exact numbers vary from person to person depending on starting weight, medical conditions, the type of surgery, and how well you can follow the recommended eating and activity plan.

Dr Winnett explains that most weight loss occurs in the first 6-9 months after surgery.

In the first few weeks, the scales can move quickly. For example, a patient starting at around 150 kg might typically expect to lose about 10-15 kg within 2-4 weeks, and sometimes more.

Dr Winnett notes that this early drop can be misleading because a portion of the initial loss is water weight, not just body fat. This is normal, especially as your food intake changes rapidly and your body uses stored glycogen (which carries water).

Beyond the first few weeks

After the first month or so, weight loss usually becomes steadier.

Many patients see an ongoing average of around 1 kg per week of fat loss, particularly when following a very low-kilojoule eating plan, prioritising protein, avoiding high-sugar/high-fat foods, and gradually increasing daily movement.

‘Weight loss often continues up to around 12 months, and then usually slows and stabilises as the body adapts,’ says Dr Winnett.

The key message is: early results can be encouraging, but long-term success comes from consistency: small portions, good protein intake, regular follow-up, and building sustainable habits over time.

Why does weight loss often plateau after bariatric surgery?

After a few months of successful weight loss, the needle may feel ‘stuck’ at a particular number on the scales. This can be frustrating.

‘Many patients are initially delighted to watch the weight fall away very quickly in the beginning, but may become disheartened when their weight doesn’t change for a few weeks despite doing everything right,’ says Dr Winnett.

‘The explanation is simple. When the body’s kilojoules are restricted in such a sudden way, the brain initiates a famine reaction in an attempt to stop weight loss. This is an evolutionary survival mechanism to deal with periods of famine.

‘Put simply, our grey matter doesn’t recognise a “diet” as a therapeutic intervention but rather a threat to survival from starvation. And this is also exactly why diets are so difficult and, more often than not, will fail long term.’

How can I move past the weight-loss plateau?

However, medications (such as semaglutide) and bariatric surgery help patients lose weight by decreasing the magnitude of the famine reaction*4.

‘The good news is that if patients stay compliant during a plateau, they’ll typically see the weight loss continue after a few weeks.’

Adding a weight resistance training program helps weight loss, with recent research showing that weight training is just as powerful as fat-burning in the short-term as aerobic activity*5.

‘Start light (1-2kg) and add after the first month. Increased muscle mass AND aerobic activity means that the scales will be more likely to go in the direction you want.’

Whether you’re considering weight-loss medications, bariatric surgery, or simply exploring your options, 2026 brings more choices than ever before.

The most successful outcomes happen when treatment is matched to the individual – your weight, your health conditions, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals.

Don’t hesitate to speak with your GP or reach out to a bariatric specialist. The sooner you start the conversation, the sooner you can begin your journey toward better health.

For more information about bariatric surgery or to book a consultation, contact the Winnett Specialist Group.