Susana Parks, after losing 40 pounds on Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, now faces the challenge of maintaining her weight loss without the drug. As more people turn to obesity medications like Zepbound and Wegovy, questions about long-term use and potential withdrawal are becoming increasingly common. Dr. David Cummings of the University of Washington notes that patients often regain weight after stopping these drugs. Despite this, some patients are attempting to lower their doses, although doctors caution that this approach is unproven and may lead to side effects returning if the drugs are restarted.
For many, the prospect of taking these medications indefinitely feels daunting. Yet, obesity specialists emphasize that like other chronic conditions, obesity may require lifelong treatment. While weight loss plateaus are typical after about 60 weeks of use, discontinuing the drugs often leads to a return of hunger and cravings. Thus, for those who have successfully shed pounds with these medications, the reality might be that continued use is necessary to maintain the results.
This ongoing dilemma highlights the complexities of treating obesity and raises important questions about how best to manage weight loss in the long term. As more patients grapple with these decisions, the conversation around obesity treatment continues to evolve, underscoring the need for more research and guidance on sustainable weight management strategies.
