Understanding the effects of bariatric surgery and semaglutide in adolescents

Physiologic Response to Bariatric Surgery and the Impact of Adjunct Semaglutide - in Adolescents (the PRESSURE Trial)

Phase 1 Interventional University of Colorado, Denver · NCT06575738

This study is testing how bariatric surgery and the weight loss drug semaglutide can help teenagers aged 12 to 24 lose weight and feel better after surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 24 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Colorado, Denver Academic / other
Locations1 site (Aurora, Colorado)
Trial IDNCT06575738 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the physiological responses of adolescents aged 12 to 24 years following bariatric surgery, specifically vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It aims to explore the variability in weight loss outcomes and define success beyond just weight reduction. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of semaglutide, an anti-obesity medication, in adolescents who have not achieved expected weight loss 1 to 2 years post-surgery. Participants will receive standard postoperative care along with the medication if eligible.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12 to 24 years who are undergoing vertical sleeve gastrectomy and may benefit from additional weight loss support.

Not a fit: Patients who are planning to undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or have conditions like hypothalamic obesity or type 2 diabetes may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved weight loss outcomes and better overall health for adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on bariatric surgery and semaglutide in adults, this specific approach in adolescents is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Observation Phase

Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed and dated informed consent form
* Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
* Male or female biological sex, age 12 through 24 years
* In the preoperative pathway for vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Planned Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
* Hypothalamic obesity
* Type 2 Diabetes
* Current use of oral glucocorticoids (i.e. within 10 days of baseline visit)
* Current use of insulin

Intervention/Treatment Phase

Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed and dated informed consent form
* Status post vertical sleeve gastrectomy
* Male or female biological sex, age 12 through 24 years
* Meeting minimum nutrition goals
* Obesity: age 12-17 years: BMI ≥95th%ile for age/sex \| age 18-24 years: BMI ≥ 30kg/m\^2
* If entering the Intervention phase from the Observational phase: ≤20% BMI loss at 1 year postop
* If entering the Intervention phase from the existing patient pool: ≤20% BMI loss at 1-2 years postop

Exclusion Criteria:

* Surgically correctable cause of suboptimal postoperative weight loss
* Known hypersensitivity to any component of semaglutide
* Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
* Personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
* Hypothalamic Obesity
* Type 2 Diabetes
* History of pancreatitis
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Clinically significant arrhythmia or heart disease that could be exacerbated by increased heart rate
* Malignant neoplasm within the last 5 years
* Untreated thyroid disorder
* Tanner Stage 1
* Baseline alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≥ 5x upper limit of normal
* Baseline Creatinine \>1.2mg/dL
* Active treatment for bulimia nervosa
* Active major psychiatric disorder limiting informed consent
* Suicidal ideation of type 4 or 5 on Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
* Intentional self-harm within the previous 1 month
* Severe unmanaged depression, defined by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD) score of 26 or greater and by clinical evaluation
* Recent change to concomitant medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, depression or anxiety (\<4 weeks prior to enrollment)
* Use of oral glucocorticoids (within 10 days of baseline visit)
* Use of metformin (within 3 months of baseline visit)
* Use of insulin secretagogues (within 4 half-lives of the medication of baseline visit)
* Current use of insulin
* Use of anti-obesity medications (within 4 half-lives of the medication of baseline visit)
* Current pregnancy
* For females of reproductive potential: Plan to become pregnant in the next 8 months
* For females of reproductive potential: Not on contraception (i.e. two forms of birth control for example oral birth control pills and condoms) for at least 1 month prior to enrollment and agreement to use these during study participation and for an additional 8 weeks after the final dose of study medication

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions ObesityAdolescent ObesityBody-Weight TrajectoryWeight Loss TrajectoryBariatric SurgeryAnti-obesity AgentsAnti-obesity medicationBariatric Surgery Post Operative Outcomes
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.