\n<\/p>\n
Wegovy, a <\/span>prescription medication<\/span><\/a> designed to aid in weight loss, is now available in the United States, opening new doors for individuals managing obesity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The drug, part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, has generated significant attention in the weight-loss industry for its effectiveness in helping patients shed pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n To better understand how Wegovy fits into obesity treatment, <\/span>Life & Style<\/span><\/i> spoke with <\/span>Dr. Jessica Duncan<\/b>, a board-certified <\/span>Obesity Medicine physician<\/span><\/a>. She emphasizes that obesity is more than a matter of willpower.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cObesity is a chronic, complex medical disease that requires a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition optimization, movement guidelines, sleep and stress management, management of both internal and external hunger cues, and often requires medical treatment, either long or short term,\u201d Dr. Duncan told <\/span>Life & Style<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Duncan explains that not every patient will use GLP-1 medications like Wegovy in the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSome individuals may need lifelong medical therapy for the treatment of obesity \u2013 this depends on individual risk factors, underlying conditions, genetic predispositions \u2013 and the decision to discontinue versus continue a GLP-1 indefinitely is one that should be made by an individual and their physician or healthcare practitioner,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n For patients who either do not benefit from or choose not to continue GLP-1 therapy, Dr. Duncan stresses to Life & Style the importance of a sustainable lifestyle plan.\u201cIt is integral that they have a comprehensive, sustainable plan to make modifications to their lifestyle to support weight maintenance,\u201d she notes.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe caloric intake and exercise requirements change in the weight maintenance phase in a surprising way \u2013 from an energy in and out standpoint, it is actually more difficult to maintain weight loss than it is to lose weight in the first place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Duncan highlights several science-backed habits that support long-term weight maintenance, including monitoring weight regularly and limiting sedentary screen time. She also emphasizes a gradual approach to discontinuing medication.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe ideal approach to discontinuing GLP-1 therapy is gradual decrease in dose with increasing reliance on lifestyle modifications as well as coping strategies for managing internal hunger cues and other external factors that contribute to weight gain,\u201d Dr. Duncan explains.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis approach allows patients a slower landing strip to adjust to the return of food noise, decrease in appetite suppression, and other changes that result from discontinuing GLP-1 therapy. It also allows for a steady and stepwise acceleration of optimized nutrition and movement to support weight maintenance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe main difference is how the medication is delivered and absorbed, not what it\u2019s designed to do,\u201d explains <\/span>Dr. Alexander Zuriarrain, MD, FACS<\/b>, a board-certified physician specializing in medical weight loss and metabolic health. <\/span>Dr. Zuriarrain is also the founder of Zuri Plastic Surgery in South Miami, FL, and the Medical Director of <\/span>Hydrology Wellness<\/span><\/a>, where he oversees GLP-1\u2013based weight management programs.<\/span><\/p>\nWho Is a Candidate for GLP-1 Therapy?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Building a Plan for Long-Term Success<\/b><\/h3>\n
How The Wegovy Pill Works<\/b><\/h3>\n