Medical specialists are calling for deeper research into a possible connection between popular weight-loss injections and a sharp rise in gallbladder removal surgeries, after new figures revealed record-high numbers across England.
Data from NHS England shows that more than 80,000 gallbladder operations were carried out in 2024–25 — the highest level seen in the past decade. The increase has sparked questions about whether the growing use of weight-loss injections may be playing a role.
Doctors Notice a Pattern
Professor Ahmed Ahmed, president of the British Obesity and Metabolic Specialist Society, says he is seeing more patients requiring gallbladder surgery, with many reporting prior use of weight-loss injections. However, he stressed that the link is not yet clear.
According to Ahmed, it remains uncertain whether the injections themselves trigger gallstones, or whether rapid weight loss — a known risk factor — is the real cause. “At this stage, we simply don’t have enough evidence to say the injections are directly responsible,” he explained.
Gallstones are already listed as a common side effect of several weight-loss jabs, including Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro. UK regulators say these risks are under continuous review.
Safety Warnings and Rising Numbers
The UK’s medicines watchdog recently updated guidance on GLP-1 weight-loss injections, highlighting the risk of acute pancreatitis — a serious condition often linked to gallstones.
Since the approval of weight-loss injections in the UK, gallbladder removals have steadily increased. In 2023–24, the NHS recorded nearly 70,000 such operations, rising to over 80,000 the following year — a jump of around 15%.
Manufacturers of the injections say patient safety is their top priority and that they actively monitor reports of side effects.
Real-Life Experiences Show Mixed Outcomes
While many users report positive results without complications, some have experienced severe health issues. Sue Peacock, a mother of five from Merseyside, said she developed gallstones weeks after starting a weight-loss injection and later suffered pancreatitis — a life-threatening condition.
She described the pain as overwhelming and said the experience left her family deeply worried about her long-term health. Peacock believes the injections triggered her illness, although doctors say individual cases cannot yet prove a direct cause.
Others, however, report life-changing benefits. Steve O’Farrell, 67, said weight-loss injections helped him lose more than five stone and regain the ability to exercise after years of struggling with obesity. For him, the benefits outweighed the risks.
Why Experts Want More Research
Surgeons point out that rapid weight loss — whether from injections, surgery or extreme dieting — has long been associated with gallstones. Women, people over 40 and those living with obesity are also at higher risk.
Because of these overlapping factors, experts say high-quality clinical trials are needed to determine whether weight-loss injections pose an additional risk compared to other methods, such as bariatric surgery.
What This Means for Patients
Health professionals advise anyone considering weight-loss injections to speak with a doctor first, understand the potential risks, and aim for gradual, controlled weight loss to reduce complications.
Gallbladder removal is generally considered a safe and routine procedure, but like all surgeries, it carries risks — making informed decisions essential.