Weight Loss Maintenance

Maintaining weight loss after GLP-1 discontinuation is a central clinical challenge defining the next phase of obesity medicine. The session covers STEP-5, SURMOUNT-3 and SURMOUNT extensions on long-term durability, tapering protocols vs abrupt discontinuation outcomes, behavioural maintenance strategies, bridge therapies for patients unable to continue long-term pharmacotherapy, and the comparison of pharmacotherapy continuation vs intermittent vs maintenance-dose strategies. Discussion addresses obesity as a chronic disease requiring chronic therapy, the patient counselling around lifelong vs cyclical therapy, intermittent dosing strategies (every-other-week, monthly), bridge bariatric procedures, and emerging maintenance-specific compounds in clinical development.