Wegovy® and Zepbound® - Will I Regain Weight After Stopping Prescription Weight Loss Medications?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
For people in NJ taking Wegovy® and Zepbound® , FDA-approved prescription weight loss medications, they can be effective tools on your weight loss journey. But what happens when you stop taking them? It’s a common question our patients at the New Jersey Bariatric Center® have about regaining the weight they’ve lost. In this blog we'll discuss what to expect when you are prescribed Wegovy® and Zepbound® and a few tips to help you maintain your weight loss progress.
Can you Regain weight after stopping Wegovy® and Zepbound®?
Weight loss medications such as Wegovy® and Zepbound® are a tool for the treatment of obesity, not a cure. When the medications and healthy lifestyle changes are stopped, weight regain can occur. Think of obesity like other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes - it requires ongoing management. Just as blood pressure medicine works best when combined with a healthy lifestyle, weight loss medications are similar. As recommended by New Jersey Bariatric Center®, when weight loss medications are paired with healthy eating habits, regular exercise and lifestyle changes, long term success is achievable. If you return to previous habits after stopping the medication, you're likely to regain weight.
Video with a weight loss expert about stopping Wegovy® and Zepbound®
How Weight Loss Medications Help You Lose Weight
Prescription weight loss medications like Wegovy® and Zepbound® are designed to be used for long periods of time. They often take 5-6 months to reach full effectiveness. They work by altering the hunger pathways in our bodies, reducing cravings and slowing down the time it takes for our stomach to empty out. Usually when our body loses weight, it compensates by increasing hunger signals. These signals are blocked by weight loss medications.
When beginning a weight loss medication, the doctors at New Jersey Bariatric Center® prescribe a starter dose. This helps your body get used to the medication and minimize potential side effects. As the medications begin to take effect, your provider will slowly increase the dosage. Typically patients reach the maximum dose around the 6 month mark. Once at the maximum dose, the medications are taken as a maintenance dose, which means that you continue at that dose until you no longer want to take the medication.
RELATED: Prescription Weight Loss Medication Options
How to Not Regain Weight After Stopping Wegovy® and Zepbound®
Habits matter. The medications work alongside lifestyle changes, not in place of them. Without a change in lifestyle habits such as mindful eating, portion control, and increased physical activity, when medications are stopped there is a higher chance of regaining weight. At New Jersey Bariatric Center® our medical weight loss program includes live nutrition and exercise classes that sets the foundation for lifestyle changes to support you in keeping the weight off.
Finding additional support from weight loss groups, family members and friends can also help you stay on track.
Struggling with Weight Regain After Stopping? Try Re-adjusting Your Approach.
Weight regain can feel discouraging but it does not mean that you or the medications have failed. It’s a temporary setback. Together, we can discuss options to restart your weight loss journey, from lifestyle changes and the MWL@NJBC program to weight loss surgery (if you qualify). We’re here to support you every step of your weight loss journey.
For questions about your weight loss options or concerns about regaining weight, give us a call to make an appointment at 908-481-1270.
