Sustainable Weight Loss: Navigating Maintenance Doses After Reaching Your Goal

Reaching a goal weight with GLP‐1 medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro®/Zepbound®) is a major achievement. Yet weight‐loss medications don’t permanently reset metabolism—they work by slowing gastric emptying, reducing hunger signals and improving insulin sensitivity. When treatment stops suddenly, hunger and cravings often return and your body’s defense mechanisms against weight loss (like a slower resting metabolic rate) can make regaining weight almost inevitable.This blog explains why a maintenance dose matters, when to begin tapering, how to find the right dose and lifestyle strategies to sustain your success.

Large clinical trials illustrate what happens when GLP‐1 therapy is discontinued. In the STEP‐1 trial for semaglutide, participants lost about 17 % of their body weight at 68 weeks but regained two‐thirds of that weight within one year of stopping treatmentl. The SURMOUNT‐1 and SURMOUNT‐4 trials with tirzepatide showed similar results: those who continued medication maintained or increased weight loss, while those who stopped experienced significant regain. These studies underscore that the medication’s effects are not permanent, and that careful dose tapering can help preserve metabolic changes.

At Fountain of Youth MedSpa we typically consider tapering to a maintenance dose when:

• ●  70–90 % of your target weight loss has been achieved and you’ve maintained that weight for at least 4–6 weeks
• ●  Healthy habits are in place, including a balanced diet and regular activity, so appetite and cravings are better controlled.
• ●  Medical clearance from your provider confirms that your weight and metabolic markers have stabilized. Typical maintenance doses for GLP‐1 medications

The goal of a maintenance dose is to minimize medication while still supporting appetite control and metabolic stability. Dosages vary by medication and individual response, but research and clinical practice suggest the following starting points

Per levesqueplasticsurgery.com:

GLP‐1 medication	Standard weight‐loss dose	Typical maintenance dose	Notes
Semaglutide (Wegovy®/Ozempic®)	2.4 mg weekly	0.5–1.7 mg weekly; some patients maintain on as little as 0.25 mg	Start tapering when weight is stable; adjust dosing frequency (e.g., every other week) based on hunger cues and weight trends.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®/Zepbound®) weekly	10–15 mg weekly	5–7.5 mg weekly; some patients maintain results at 2.5 mg	Lower doses are possible when strong lifestyle habits are in place.

GLP‐1 medication

Important: Always follow a personalized plan developed by your healthcare provider. Maintenance doses should not be self‐adjusted, and abrupt discontinuation often leads to rapid weight regain.

Medication is only part of long‐term weight maintenance. Successful patients combine lower doses with healthy behaviors:

• Prioritize protein. Aim for 80–120 g of protein daily to preserve lean muscle, support metabolic rate and improve satietylevesqueplasticsurgery.com.
• Strength train 2–3 times per week. GLP‐1 therapy can result in loss of both fat and muscle; resistance training helps preserve lean masslevesqueplasticsurgery.com.
• Monitor your weight weekly. Small fluctuations (2–3 lbs) are easier to correct than large swings. Tracking helps you and your provider adjust dosing and lifestyle
• Optimize sleep and manage stress. Poor sleep and high stress raise cortisol and increase cravings. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep nightly and incorporate stress‐reduction practices (meditation, yoga, journaling)
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger; drinking water before meals can help control appetite

Some patients can wean off medication after maintaining healthy habits for at least a year. Providers may recommend a “booster cycle” (short return to therapy) if weight regain occurs. Medical supervision is essential; never stop abruptly, and be prepared to adjust lifestyle behaviors to compensate for the loss of pharmaceutical appetite suppression. A 2024 study on Wegovy® found that people regained two‐thirds of the weight they lost within a year of stopping the medication forhers.com, emphasizing that ongoing support may be needed for sustainable results.

• Maintenance dosing is not “cheating.” It’s a medically‐supported strategy to preserve the metabolic benefits of GLP‐1 medications after you’ve reached your goal weight. Abruptly stopping almost always leads to weight regain
• Work closely with a provider. Finding the lowest effective dose while monitoring hunger cues, weight and lab markers requires professional guidance. At Fountain of Youth MedSpa, our practitioners personalize tapering schedules and integrate nutrition counseling, strength training and wellness support.
• Long‐term success requires lifestyle change. Medication alone is not a cure; combining maintenance dosing with healthy eating, regular exercise and stress management is the key to sustaining your transformation

Interested in developing a personalized maintenance plan? Contact Fountain of Youth MedSpa in Allen, Texas, to schedule a consultation and keep your hard‐earned results for the long term.