Why Is Support Important After Stopping Medication?
When you stop taking GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, your body’s appetite signals gradually return to their pre-treatment levels. Clinical studies show that without support, patients can regain a significant portion of their weight loss within the first year.
The cessation support programme helps you:
Manage the return of appetite and hunger signals
Maintain the healthy eating patterns you developed during treatment
Continue your physical activity routine
Monitor your weight and identify early warning signs
Access professional support if you experience significant weight regain
Restart medication if clinically appropriate
How to Enroll
Enrollment is straightforward. When you receive your medication reorder notification, you will see three options:
Option 1: I want to reorder my medication
Option 2: I have stopped taking my weight loss medication
Option 3: I have moved to another provider
If you select Option 2, you will be automatically enrolled in the cessation support program. You will be asked to confirm your stop date and current weight, and then you will enter the 12-month support pathway.
What Happens During the 12-Month Program?
The program includes regular check-ins at key intervals throughout the 12 months:
Week 4 (after stopping) - Video Consultation
Your first check-in is a video consultation with a specialist weight loss clinician through the NowPatient app. The specialist weight loss cessation clinician will assess how you are adjusting, discuss any challenges with appetite or eating patterns, and create a personalised support plan.
Week 8, Week 12, Month 6, Month 9 (after stopping) - Questionnaires
At each of these intervals, you complete a brief questionnaire covering your weight, eating habits, activity levels, and wellbeing. A clinician will review your responses and provide personalised feedback and resources if required.
Month 12 (after stopping) - Final Review
A comprehensive review of your 12-month journey with a clinician assessment and discussion of next steps.
What Do the Questionnaires Cover?
Each questionnaire takes 5–10 minutes and covers:
Your current weight
Hunger and appetite levels
Eating patterns and any challenges
Physical activity levels
Mood and wellbeing (brief screening questions)
Your confidence in maintaining your weight
Any support you would like
You will receive a notification when a questionnaire is due, and you can complete it directly in the NowPatient app.
Accessing Your Cessation Support in the App
Once enrolled, a Weight Loss Treatment Cessation meter appears in the Medication Support section of your account homepage. The dashboard displays:
Progress Dial — A visual display showing your progress through the 12-month programme, with your current position clearly marked.
Notification Icons — A video icon when a consultation is due, and a clipboard icon when a questionnaire is ready to complete.
Resources — Quick access to diet, activity, and lifestyle support materials.
Support Button — Book an ad-hoc consultation at any time if you need extra help.
What Happens If You Start Regaining Weight?
NowPatient monitors your progress at every check-in. If you experience significant weight regain (more than 5% of your baseline weight), our clinicians will:
Contact you to schedule a video consultation
Review what is happening and identify the causes
Provide enhanced support with targeted advice and resources
Discuss whether restarting medication might be appropriate
Refer you to specialist services if needed (such as a dietitian)
The goal is to catch any weight regain early and provide support before it becomes significant.
Can I Restart My Weight Loss Medication?
Yes. At any point during the program, you can discuss restarting medication with a clinician. This might be appropriate if:
You have regained more than 5% of your weight despite lifestyle efforts
Weight-related health conditions (such as blood pressure or blood sugar) are worsening
You feel you would benefit from medication support
Your quality of life is significantly affected
Use the ‘Restart Medication’ option in your cessation support dashboard, or mention it in any questionnaire submission. A clinician will arrange a consultation to assess whether restarting treatment is right for you.
Getting Support Between Scheduled Check-Ins
You do not have to wait for a scheduled check-in. At any time during the program, you can:
Use the ‘Request Support’ button in your cessation dashboard to book an ad-hoc consultation
Access the library of support resources for diet, activity, and stress management
Contact the support team if you have urgent concerns
What Happens at the End of the 12-Month Programme?
At your Month 12 review, your clinician will assess your progress and discuss the best path forward:
Discharge — If you have maintained your weight and feel confident continuing independently.
Continued monitoring — If you would benefit from ongoing periodic check-ins (every 6 months).
Restart medication — If medication would help you achieve or maintain your weight goals.
Specialist referral — If you would benefit from a dietitian or other specialist support.
Is the Program Free?
Yes. The Weight Loss Treatment Cessation Support programme is provided at no additional cost to NowPatient weight loss patients. This includes all questionnaire reviews, video consultations, and access to support resources throughout the 12-month programme.
Will My Doctor Be Kept Informed?
Yes. If our clinicians identify any concerns during your cessation support, such as significant weight regain or changes to your health, they will notify your GP. Referral letters can be viewed in the ‘Documents’ section of your account.