Combining medication and behavioral therapy to improve weight after weight-loss surgery
Official title: Behavioral and Pharmacological Treatments to Enhance Weight Outcomes after Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11162361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares medication plus structured behavior therapy to help adults keep weight off after bariatric (metabolic) surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $591,288 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK125650-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (age 21 and over) who have undergone metabolic or bariatric surgery and are concerned about inadequate weight loss or weight regain are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who have not had bariatric surgery or who are medically ineligible for the study medications would not benefit from or be eligible for this specific project.
What this research studies
If you join, you would be randomly assigned to receive medication, a manualized behavioral weight-loss program, both together, or usual post-surgery care. The team will monitor your weight, health measures, medication effects, and behavior over time and provide regular counseling sessions. The researchers aim to find which approach—or combination—best prevents weight regain after surgery. All treatments would be delivered under medical supervision with standardized materials and follow-up visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people maintain greater long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery and lower obesity-related health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous behavioral trials after bariatric surgery are few and limited, and combining pharmacologic and manualized behavioral treatments in a rigorous randomized trial is largely new.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ivezaj, Valentina — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ivezaj, Valentina
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.