Eating on treatment
- Eat smaller meals, slowly, and stop at the first sign of fullness
- Include protein at every meal: dal, paneer, curd, eggs, fish, chicken or soya
- Fill up on vegetables and include whole grains in modest portions
- Drink water through the day; thirst can be dulled along with hunger
- Limit fried foods, sweets and alcohol, which often worsen nausea
Protecting muscle
Weight lost quickly can include muscle. Regular strength exercise two to three times a week, such as resistance bands, bodyweight exercises or weights, along with enough protein, helps keep muscle and strength.
Missed doses
Follow the instructions in your medicine’s leaflet, as the rules differ between medicines. If you have missed more than a couple of weeks, do not restart at your previous dose without advice; you may need to start lower to avoid side effects.
What happens when treatment stops?
Appetite usually returns, and much of the lost weight tends to come back. In one large study, people regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost within a year of stopping. Blood sugar and blood pressure benefits can fade too.
For this reason, obesity is treated as a long-term condition. Some people stay on treatment long term; others reduce the dose gradually while strengthening food, activity and sleep habits. This is a decision to make with your doctor.
Follow-up
Regular reviews check your weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, side effects and muscle strength, and adjust the dose. If you have diabetes, your other diabetes medicines may also need changing as you improve.
What if you cannot eat much?
Persistent nausea or early fullness can make it difficult to meet nutrition needs. Try smaller meals, eat slowly and choose nutrient-dense foods rather than relying on tea, biscuits or juice. If you are repeatedly vomiting, cannot keep fluids down, feel dizzy or pass very little urine, contact your treating team promptly because dehydration can affect kidney function.
Protein needs vary with body size, age, kidney function and activity. A dietitian or clinician can help set an appropriate target, especially if you have kidney disease or another condition that changes your protein needs. Resistance exercise, when safe for you, helps preserve strength during weight loss.
Plan before changing or stopping treatment
Appetite and weight can increase after treatment is stopped, and some weight regain is common. Before reducing or stopping a medicine, discuss the reason, a maintenance plan, follow-up and how related conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure will be monitored. Do not change the dose or extend the interval between injections without advice.
This guide is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor for advice specific to your health. These are prescription medicines; start, change or stop them only with your doctor.