Medicine and Science from The BMJ GLP-1 weight regain and doctors forced out of Gaza
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Jan 12, 2026 Sam West, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford specializing in obesity treatments, discusses the rapid weight regain following the cessation of GLP-1 medications and the implications for patient counseling. Mohamed Abou Mugaysid, MSF's deputy medical coordinator in Palestine, shares firsthand accounts of the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza as aid organizations face restrictions. He highlights the challenges faced by exhausted health workers and the overwhelming crisis in hospitals during harsh winter conditions.
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Rapid Weight Return After GLP-1 Cessation
- GLP-1 drugs produce large short-term weight losses but weight returns quickly after stopping treatment.
- Sam West estimates return to baseline in ~1.7 years and cardiometabolic gains reverse in ~1.4 years.
Stronger Drugs, Faster Rebound
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide lead to larger losses but also faster regain after stopping.
- West projects return to baseline ~1.5 years for these drugs with cardiometabolic markers following weight trends.
Tell Patients The Likely Outcome
- Clinicians should inform patients about likely rapid weight regain after stopping GLP-1 drugs.
- Use this evidence to support fully informed decisions about starting or paying for treatment.