While GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight loss, recent studies suggest that their benefits may not be long-lasting for many users.
Ongoing research shows that when patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, they tend to regain the weight. Additionally, the weight-related medical conditions that initially prompted the treatment may also return.
According to research from the University of Oxford, experts estimate that many patients’ weight will return to pre-treatment levels within about 1.7 years after stopping medications. Cardiometabolic markers, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes-related markers, tend to decline roughly 1.4 years after discontinuing the medications.
Oprah Winfrey has openly discussed her journey with GLP-1. Winfrey said she gained weight after stopping the treatment and decided to resume the medications. In an interview with People, she explained that she has committed to using GLP-1 for life.
“If you have obesity in your gene pool, I want people to know it’s not your fault,” Winfrey told the outlet. “I want
people to stop blaming yourself for genes and an environment you can’t control. I want people to have the information, whatever you choose to do with it, whether you get the medications, or whether you want to keep dieting.”However, long-term use of the drug is not accessible to some individuals. On average, patients pay at least $4,200 out of pocket each year for GLP-1s like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Wegovy. Patients also need to consider changes in their health insurance. As demand increases, more employers have stopped covering the cost of these expensive medications.
In a 2025 study, researchers analyzed the health
records of 77,310 Danish adults who used Wegovy. The study found that 52 percent of people stopped taking the drug within a year due to costs. Some respondents noted that they stopped the medication because of side effects, which can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation.As it becomes clearer that GLP-1s may require a lifelong financial and medical commitment, researchers and clinicians are increasingly considering more permanent weight-loss options, such as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty. ESG typically costs around $12,000, and VSG costs about $17,000.
While the initial costs are more expensive than a year’s supply of GLP-1, the one-time nature of these procedures might make them a more attractive option for patients seeking lasting results.
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