Semaglutide meds work, especially Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.  We are now talking about real weight loss for the first time.  And we recognize obesity and the associated obesity comorbidities represent CHRONIC disease.  So ultimately, how effective are the new semaglutide meds treating obesity and associated diseases.

Data is beginning to provide some insight for effectiveness of the current semaglutide meds as the ultimate cure for obesity.

It is probably not totally surprising that withdrawing tirzepatide leads to substantial regain of lost weight.  But continuing tirzepatide “lead to continued weigh loss”

Overall, 300 participants (89.5%) receiving tirzepatide at 88 weeks maintained at least 80% of the weight loss during the lead-in period compared with 16.6% receiving placebo.  So those who continued tirzepatide actually continued to lose weight.  As might be predicted, most started to regain weight (but not all).

To some degree, this data reaffirms the difficulty of achieving and maintaining weight loss.  Once obese, as Oprah now points out, changes in life style alone are really difficult to achieve and harder to effectively maintain. 

So we are left with an effective treatment for obesity, if you can pay for it, tolerate the side effects, and continue it for perhaps indefinitely.  And we really don’t know the “indefinite” long term risks of semaglutide.