In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Ryan Manno sits down with Dr. Annie Wang, a board‑certified UCI Health general surgeon specializing in minimally invasive gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery. Together, they unpack one of the most talked‑about health topics today: obesity, modern weight‑loss options, and the rise of GLP‑1 medications.

Dr. Wang explains:

• Why obesity is now understood as a chronic disease
• The differences between sleeve gastrectomy (“the banana”) and gastric bypass (“the egg”)
• How bariatric surgery compares to newer medications like GLP‑1s
• The real, measurable benefits of weight‑loss surgery — from improved mobility to better heart health
• What recovery truly looks like
• Fertility changes, long‑term follow‑up, misconceptions, risks, and who qualifies Whether you're considering medication, surgery, lifestyle change, or just curious about how these approaches work, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and science‑driven guidance.