GLP-1 weight loss drugs: What experts say about keeping weight off after stopping - WILX

What the report says

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are drawing more use, but health professionals in Mid-Michigan are warning that keeping weight off can be difficult after stopping the medication. WILX-TV reported from Lansing, Michigan, that a July Gallup poll found 15% of respondents said they had used a GLP-1 drug in 2024, up from 6% two years earlier. The report framed the trend as a sign of growing interest in medications such as those used for obesity and diabetes treatment.

Sarah Smith, a registered dietitian with University of Michigan Health Sparrow, told WILX that people starting a GLP-1 should also build habits with help from a dietitian. She emphasized balanced meals, regular eating patterns and exercise as tools that may help maintain results. Smith said that for some patients the medication can act as a short-term aid, but not a permanent solution, and that weight often returns when treatment ends.

The report also quoted Susan Celsor, an Okemos resident who said she has focused on lifelong habits rather than using a GLP-1, and Alex Thompson, clinical nutrition manager at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, who said weight management is a legitimate health concern alongside conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease. Smith noted that GLP-1 drugs can slow digestion and may cause nausea and vomiting. The article’s broader point was that patients should discuss their own risks and goals with a doctor before deciding on treatment.