NICE and NHS guidance are already moving in this direction

This new BMJ analysis builds on growing momentum from the NHS and NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) around integrated obesity care.

NICE already recommends that GLP-1 prescriptions be offered alongside lifestyle support and monitoring, and that this continues after stopping, especially for patients at risk of regaining weight.

But as the article points out, there’s still a gap between guidance and reality. In many cases, patients are left to manage the transition off GLP-1s alone, with little to no follow-up care.

The result? A return to old habits, weight regain, and unnecessary feelings of failure.

Why this matters for real people

Whether you're just starting out, midway through your GLP-1 journey, or thinking about stopping, this new research underscores something Pen-Hub has believed from the beginning:

You need a plan. Not just for the jab, but for after.

That includes building habits, learning how to respond to hunger and fullness cues again, managing emotional eating, and knowing how to navigate setbacks without spiralling.

This isn’t about scaring people. It’s about setting them up for success.

Experts Call for One-Year Support Plan After Ozempic and Mounjaro

New guidance urges long-term follow-up after stopping weight-loss jabs as the risk of regain becomes clear

A major new publication in the British Medical Journal has triggered renewed calls for long-term support plans for patients coming off GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, with some experts suggesting follow-up care could be needed for up to a year.

The message is clear: these medications work, but the real challenge often begins after the jab stops.

What the new publication actually says

The article, published on 31 July in the BMJ, pulls together data and expert analysis from across the UK and beyond, looking at what happens to patients after they stop taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.

It found that while medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can be highly effective in treating obesity and related health conditions, many patients experience significant weight regain after stopping, especially when there’s no follow-up support in place.

The authors argue that the current system is too focused on the prescription itself, and not enough on what happens after. They call for clearer long-term planning from the outset, suggesting that some patients may benefit from structured support for six to twelve months after treatment ends.

Crucially, the report doesn't criticise the medications; it highlights the lack of infrastructure around them.

The headlines got loud, but missed the point

If you’ve seen headlines like “Obesity Jabs: Help needed to keep weight off after stopping jabs” (BBC) or “Warning issued to patients after using weight-loss jabs” (The Independent), you’re not alone. The study made waves in the media, but the tone of the coverage has been more panicked than practical.

Let’s be honest: the idea that weight might return after stopping weight loss medication isn’t exactly shocking. What matters is why it happens and how to better support people through it.

The real takeaway isn't “these drugs don’t work.” It’s “we need to treat obesity as a long-term condition, not a short-term fix.”