Recent research highlighted by the BBC has drawn public attention to an important aspect of medical weight-loss treatment: what often happens after people stop using weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro or Wegovy. According to the report, people coming off these medications may regain weight more rapidly than those who stop traditional dieting alone.
You can read the BBC article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c050ljnrv2qo
This finding does not mean that GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) based treatments like Mounjaro or Wegovy are ineffective. Rather, it underscores a fundamental clinical reality: obesity is a chronic condition that requires long-term management strategies. Medications can be highly effective tools for weight loss, but they need to be combined with personalised lifestyle and behavioural support to protect results once treatment changes.
At Harley Street Obesity Clinic, we help patients understand both the benefits and limitations of weight-loss injections and plan for lasting success. Our clinical team are all experts in supporting people living with obesity and have worked in the field for many years.
What the BBC Report Found
The BBC referenced research suggesting that people who stop using weight-loss injections can regain weight faster than those who stop dieting alone. Some studies indicate that, once treatment ends, people may put weight back on quickly if they do not have structured maintenance plans in place.
This rapid regain doesn’t reflect a flaw in the medication itself. Instead, it highlights how the body’s metabolism and appetite regulation adapt once appetite-suppressing effects are withdrawn.
Why Weight Regain Happens
There are several biological and behavioural reasons why weight gain can occur after stopping GLP-1 treatments:
Changes in appetite regulation
While medications suppress hunger signals, stopping them can unmask underlying appetite drivers. This can lead to a return of intense hunger or cravings if lifestyle habits have not been firmly established.
Metabolic adaptation
Weight loss can slow metabolic rate, meaning the body requires fewer calories to maintain weight. Without careful planning, this can contribute to weight regain.
Habit and behaviour patterns
Many people on medical weight-loss programmes focus on food, activity and mindset habits while on treatment. If these changes are not fully embedded before stopping medication, old patterns can reassert themselves.It is also tempting to skip meals completely which is difficult to sustain lomg term.
These mechanisms are not unique to injection-based medications — they occur with most forms of significant weight loss, including very low-calorie diets and structured programmes.
Why Specialist Support Matters
Regaining weight after stopping medication is not inevitable if the right support is in place. At Harley Street Obesity Clinic we focus on:
Comprehensive assessment
Before starting treatment, we assess metabolic health, medical history and potential underlying causes of weight gain. Ineffective weight loss strategies often fail because these root causes are not identified.
Individualised treatment plans
Medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy are valuable tools, but they are most effective when integrated with personalised nutrition, activity and behavioural plans.
Behaviour change support
We know that long-term success depends on habits. We support patients with structured guidance on eating behaviour, appetite management and psychological strategies that make sustained change possible.
Maintenance and exit planning
Rather than treating stopping medication as an afterthought, we plan for it from the beginning. This can include gradual dose adjustment, ongoing lifestyle coaching and strategies to reinforce new habits.
What Patients Should Take Away
The recent BBC coverage is a reminder that obesity treatment is more than just losing weight - it is about keeping weight off for good. Weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy can deliver impressive results, but they work best as part of a medically guided, long-term plan.
If weight regain occurs after stopping medication, it does not mean treatment has failed. It means there is an opportunity to embed deeper changes that support lasting health.
How Harley Street Obesity Clinic Can Help
If you are considering medical support for weight loss or are concerned about weight regain after treatment, expert guidance is essential. At Harley Street Obesity Clinic we provide:
- Specialist medical assessment and safe prescribing
- Individualised strategies that combine medication, nutrition and behaviour change
- Long-term maintenance planning to protect your results
To discuss your options with a specialist and build a personalised weight-management plan, please get in touch.