GLP1s Semaglutide UK Tirzepatide UK

What do the studies reveal about weight gain after GLP-1s?

TribeTeam

February 19, 2026

If you've lost weight on GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), congratulations on your progress. But a question we hear constantly is: what happens when you stop? Will the weight come back? Understanding this is key to planning your long-term health journey.

In this guide, we'll cover:

How much weight GLP-1 drugs can help you lose
What happens after stopping these medicines
Why weight regain often happens
Emerging maintenance therapies like Orforglipron — and what they mean for you

How GLP-1 Drugs Help With Weight Loss

Semaglutide: What the Clinical Trials Show

GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide work by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying. In clinical trials, participants lost more than 15% of body weight on average over 68–72 weeks.

Tirzepatide: Even Greater Results

Tirzepatide, which stimulates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, shows even more potential, with some participants losing roughly 20% or more of their initial weight in under a year.

These medications dramatically outperform

traditional diet and exercise alone, and older obesity drugs.

What Happens When You Stop GLP-1 Treatment?

One key thing to understand: stopping GLP-1 therapy often leads to weight regain, because these drugs influence appetite, satiety, and metabolism rather than permanently changing your body's biological set points.

After stopping GLP-1 and other weight-loss drugs, people regained weight rapidly — about 0.8 kg (~1.8 lb) per month with Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. Many returned to their baseline weight within about 1.5 years.

University of Oxford systematic review

Why Regain Happens

When you stop GLP-1 medications:

Appetite Returns

Hormonal changes reignite hunger signals

Calorie Intake Rises

Without the appetite suppression working

Metabolism Shifts

Can revert toward pre-treatment levels

This isn't a "failure." It reflects the nature of obesity as a chronic condition, where biological signals persist unless countered over time. NICE's own models estimate that benefits from Semaglutide are largely lost within approximately two years after stopping — including improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol.

What This Means for People in the UK

In the UK, weight-loss GLP-1 drugs are typically prescribed with support from obesity specialists or specialist clinics. Because medications may be time-limited under NICE or private practice pathways, planning beyond the treatment period is essential.

A New Approach: Orforglipron for Maintenance

💊 Once-Daily Oral Pill 🔬 Eli Lilly Phase III ✅ No Injections

Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist — a daily pill developed by Eli Lilly that works on the same pathways as semaglutide and tirzepatide, but without the needle.

What the ATTAIN-MAINTAIN Trial Found

In the Phase III "ATTAIN-MAINTAIN" trial, people who switched from injectable therapies to orforglipron showed strong maintenance of weight loss over 52 weeks:

Participants transitioning from Wegovy maintained their weight with minimal regain
Those switching from Mounjaro maintained significantly more weight loss vs placebo

How Orforglipron Works

Suppresses appetite
Slows digestion
Promotes fullness, without needles, which may improve adherence

If approved in the UK, Orforglipron could provide a scalable, longer-term oral maintenance option for people who've already seen results from injectable therapies.

Combining Medication With Long-Term Support

Even with promising maintenance medications, lasting success typically involves a joined-up approach:

🧠

Behavioural Support

🥗

Dietary Counselling

🏃‍♀️

Regular Activity

👩‍⚕️

Clinical Follow-up

Final Takeaways

GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide produce powerful weight loss, often exceeding traditional options
Most people regain substantial weight within 1–2 years of stopping if no maintenance strategy is in place
Orforglipron (an oral GLP-1 in development) has shown promise in maintaining weight loss after injectable therapy
Long-term success usually requires medication plus lifestyle support

Obesity is a chronic condition, planning for the future matters.

If you're considering stopping treatment or worried about regaining weight, talk to your GP or specialist about maintenance therapy, lifestyle support, and emerging options like Orforglipron. You deserve a plan that works for the long haul.

Your Tribe Is Here

Whether you're navigating weight management, endometriosis, fertility struggles, or simply seeking better information — our mission is to empower you with resources, education, and community.

Because every woman deserves healthcare that sees her, hears her, and heals her.