Ready to embrace a 'New Year, New You'? Before you jump on the weight-loss drug bandwagon, like Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, let's pump the brakes and talk about what the experts really want you to know. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Katelin Mirkin, and many other medical professionals, are sounding the alarm: these medications aren't a magic bullet, and relying on them could lead to some surprising consequences.
One of the biggest concerns? Rebound weight gain. Dr. Mirkin highlights that many patients experience significant weight regain after stopping these drugs, especially if they stop abruptly.
These medications, initially designed to treat diabetes, have exploded in popularity for weight loss. As more Americans use GLP-1s, doctors are learning about the long-term effects of discontinuing them.
While many people tolerate GLP-1 drugs well, it's crucial to remember that, like all medications, they come with potential side effects. The most common include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and slowed digestion. These occur because the drugs work by slowing down your digestive system and suppressing your appetite.
But here's where it gets controversial: Dr. Mirkin also points out potential for more serious problems, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, muscle loss (sarcopenia), and even rare thyroid cancer risks.
For the most part, the medications are “pretty well tolerated” by most patients. But studies suggest that most people stop taking these drugs within a year and many quickly regain weight.
"That negative feedback of that nausea that you felt from the medication isn’t there, and so you just kind of go back into old habits," Mirkin explains. The drugs themselves slow how your GI system processes food, and so once that’s gone, you’re not going to feel a lot of those side effects.
Why does the weight come back? Experts believe it's a combination of factors. Some patients report intense hunger and appetite after stopping the medication. Others stop due to financial constraints or intolerable side effects.
Doctors generally agree that for many patients, particularly those with obesity or diabetes, GLP-1 drugs might need to be taken indefinitely.
Dr. Mirkin emphasizes that these medications shouldn't be seen as a quick fix.
While patients are advised to combine the drugs with lifestyle changes like increased protein intake, strength training, and mindful eating, some rely solely on the medication.
"Some of these weight regains is even in people that have made these lifestyle changes," Mirkin says. “But certainly your overall health is going to be better if you can kind of commit to healthier habits in general.”
So, what do you think? Are weight-loss drugs a sustainable solution, or are they a temporary fix with potentially negative long-term effects? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This information was originally reported by Heather Gustafson, a Freelance Anchor/Reporter for WTOP, a DMV native and an Emmy award-winning journalist.
