While Semaglutide has been shown to effectively support and encourage weight loss, it is not considered a cure for obesity. This means that the drug does not prevent metabolic adaptations, and, when drug use is discontinued, lost weight can be expected to rebound. The best way to maintain weight loss is through long-term behavior modification, including changes in diet and exercise habits; these behavior changes can be supported by Semaglutide, but without these changes, weight loss is rarely permanent. Consult with a doctor before using Semaglutide to make sure you’re establishing the effective habits that will help you keep your weight in a healthy range, and follow your doctor’s instructions for using the drug to ensure safe, satisfactory results.
Semaglutide works by making people feel full and suppressing the appetite, which is achieved by slowing the digestion and emission of food from the stomach and increasing the duration of a feeling of satiety. Any patient with a BMI above 30, or with a BMI above 27 and weight-related health complications, could be a good candidate for Semaglutide, which provides multiple possible benefits. In addition to effectively treating obesity and preventing related health conditions, Semaglutide is particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of diabetes and in improving the health of people with prediabetic conditions.
While these effects can be dramatic and potentially life-changing, it’s important to remember that they only last while taking the medication and, without a change in habits and behaviors, the results will not be permanent. In fact, based on a 2022 study, most patients who stop taking Semaglutide regain about two-thirds of their lost weight and the beneficial effects on blood pressure and blood lipid composition are reversed when the drug is stopped.
These results occur because Semaglutide doesn’t cure the metabolic and systemic concerns that can cause weight loss. In some patients, it has also been reported that stopping Semaglutide can even increase weight gain when patients become accustomed to the metabolic benefits of Semaglutide and then stop taking the drug. This characteristic isn’t specific to Semaglutide, however, and is seen with many different weight loss methods that involve dramatic calorie reduction; when the resting metabolic rate lowers with extensive reduced calorie intake, long-term weight management becomes complicated.
While this may seem to indicate that Semaglutide must be taken permanently if weight loss is to be maintained, weight loss can be maintained with lifestyle changes, and these lifestyle changes can be supported by using Semaglutide.
It may be easier to implement and practice these healthy habits when supported by Semaglutide, but it’s important to remember that no drug or medical procedure will ever substitute for exercise and a healthy diet, and long-term lifestyle changes are necessary for managing weight and overall health. Sustained use of Semaglutide may not be a realistic option for you, but you and your doctor can discuss your options and design your best management plan for weight loss and for treatment of the health concerns that may arise because of excessive weight or obesity.