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Tanya Hall describes her experience with weight loss medication as a dramatic switch: once she stops taking the injections, her hunger returns intensely. She has tried multiple times to discontinue the treatment, but the urge to eat comes back forcefully, making it difficult to maintain her progress. These medications, known as GLP-1s, mimic a natural hormone that suppresses appetite and have helped many people achieve weight loss unattainable through traditional dieting. For individuals like Tanya, the drugs have not only reshaped their bodies but also transformed their perspectives on life.
Tanya’s journey began with skepticism; working as a sales manager in the fitness industry, she felt underestimated because of her size and wanted to prove she could succeed. After starting treatment with Wegovy, she noticed a shift in how others treated her, receiving more respect and encouragement as she lost weight. However, the initial months were challenging, with side effects including constant nausea, headaches, and hair loss, possibly linked to rapid weight changes. Despite these hurdles, she lost about six stones (38kg) over 18 months. Yet, attempts to stop the medication were met with a swift return of overwhelming hunger, leaving her torn between continuing the treatment and facing the unknowns of life without it.
Medical professionals highlight the complexity of stopping GLP-1 therapy. Dr. Hussain Al-Zubaidi describes coming off these drugs as akin to “jumping off a cliff,” with many patients experiencing a rapid return of appetite and weight gain. Studies suggest that within one to three years after cessation, individuals often regain 60 to 80% of the weight lost. Ellen Ogley underwent a similar transformation using Mounjaro, another weight-loss injection. She reached a critical point in her health, motivated by an impending surgery, and found that the medication effectively turned off her emotional binge eating. This pause from constant food cravings allowed her to develop healthier eating habits and gradually incorporate exercise into her routine, resulting in significant weight loss.
Despite changes in lifestyle and mindset, Ellen noticed her weight increasing again after stopping the medication, which affected her mentally. Experts emphasize the importance of extended support following cessation of GLP-1 drugs to help sustain weight loss and maintain health, although such support is not always accessible, particularly for those privately funding treatment. Tanya remains on the medication, wary of regaining weight, while Ellen has moved beyond it, continuing to lose weight without the injections. The uncertainty surrounding long-term use and discontinuation of these drugs remains, prompting ongoing discussion about how best to assist patients through this transition and foster lasting health improvements
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