New advice from the NHS suggests that people who stop taking weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro should have check-ups for at least a year. The main reason for this is that it's very common for people to gain most of the weight once they stop the medication. The guidance from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) emphasizes that managing weight is a long-term effort, not a quick fix. Patients need extra help and a clear plan to maintain their new weight, which includes habits like eating healthy food and being physically active. Clinical trials show that people on these drugs often regain a lot of the weight they lost. For example, a trial for Wegovy found that patients put back on about two-thirds of their lost weight after they stopped the injections. It was a similar story for those who took Mounjaro. Professor Jonathan Benger from NICE explained that the time right after stopping treatment is very important. He said people need "structured support" to keep up the healthy changes they've made. The new advice encourages patients to create healthy habits, use tools to monitor their own weight, and get support from family, friends, and online groups. Why Are Weight Loss Drugs Popular in UK? Obesity affects about one in four adults in England. While an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK are using these weight-loss jabs, most are paying for them privately and won't get this NHS support. Wegovy is available on the NHS for a period of two years for those who have health problems because of their weight and have a high BMI. The drug Mounjaro is expected to be offered to about 240,000 people over the next three years, and there's no set time limit for how long they can take it. Both drugs work by reducing a person's appetite. They are given along with programs that help people make healthy changes to their diet and exercise habits. Does Mounjaro Work For Everyone? The UC Health explains that currently Mounjaro is approved for people with diabetes, not for those who are overweight or obese without diabetes. There is still a lot we have to learn about Mounjaro and researchers are working on the same. A big question that everyone who wishes to start on the weight loss drug are thinking about is whether you will have to keep using the drug forever or can you stop. To maintain the weight loss achieved with Mounjaro, you will likely need to keep taking the medication indefinitely. If you lose a significant amount of weight with Mounjaro, Wegovy, or Ozempic, you will likely need to continue taking the medication to keep the weight off. People who have stopped taking Ozempic and Wegovy have typically regained the weight they lost. As one UC Health expert noted that if you stop taking these medications, and don’t change your behaviors, then the weight can pile back on. Since Mounjaro is newer, there is less information about long-term use, but the trend is expected to be similar.