What Happens When You Stop Using GLP-1 For Weight Loss?
For many people who have suffered from lifelong weight loss challenges, GLP-1 medications might feel like a genuine miracle. These medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, have helped millions bust through stubborn weight loss barriers and achieve goals never thought possible. However, many people tend to minimize what happens after they reach their healthy weight goal. This phase is called maintenance, and it needs to last for a lifetime. In other words, every day for the rest of their lives. For those who achieved their weight loss goal with the help of GLP-1 medication, they have to decide what role, if any, the medication will play in the maintenance phase. Of course, this requires understanding what happens after discontinuing use of a GLP-1. Patients Regain Weight It may not come as a surprise that the research shows most people regain weight when they stop GLP-1 medications. When you remove GLP-1 medication from the body, you lose the chemical mechanisms that served to control appetite and slow digestion. Your body returns to its previous hunger and metabolism patterns.One of the largest studies on this topic followed people for one year after they stopped taking semaglutide. The results showed that participants regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss within 12 months of stopping the medication.In addition to weight regain, many health benefits related to GLP-1 medication use also reversed. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood sugar control returned to pre-treatment levels. The Best Way to Stop GLP-1 Medications If you explore your weight maintenance options and decide to stop taking GLP-1 medications as part of that plan, don't do it on your own. Here's the safest approach: Work with Your Healthcare ProviderNever stop GLP-1 medications without consulting your doctor first. They need to monitor your health, especially if you have diabetes or other medical...
