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Weight Loss Treatment Cessation Programme

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Written by Daniel Warner

Supporting you after your have stopped GLP1 medications

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

Enrolment

Enrolment is straightforward. When you receive your weight loss 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.

Check-in questionnaires

Each questionnaire takes 5 to 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.

Viewing the Weight Loss Treatment Cessation meter

Once enroled into the programme, a Weight Loss Treatment Cessation meter appears in the Medication Support section of your account homepage which 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 to do 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.

Restarting weight loss medication

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 to expect 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.

Costs

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.

Your doctor

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.


FAQ

Find answers to common questions about NowPatient’s free 12-month cessation support program for weight loss patients who have stopped their GLP-1 weight loss medication.

What is Weight Loss Treatment Cessation Support?

It is a free, structured 12-month program designed to help you maintain your weight loss after you stop taking weight loss medication. It includes regular check-ins, expert advice, and ongoing monitoring to help you sustain the healthy habits you developed during treatment.

Why do I need support after stopping my weight loss medication?

When you stop taking GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, your appetite signals gradually return to pre-treatment levels. Clinical studies show that without support, patients can regain a significant portion of their weight loss within the first year. The program helps you manage this transition.

Does the program align with any clinical guidelines?

Yes. The program aligns with NICE Quality Standard QS212, which recommends structured post-cessation support for at least 12 months.

Is the program free?

Yes. The program is provided at no additional cost to all NowPatient weight loss patients. This includes all questionnaire reviews, video consultations, and access to support resources.

How do I enrol in the cessation support program?

When you receive your medication reorder notification, select ‘I have stopped taking my weight loss medication’ (Option 2). You will be asked to confirm your stop date and current weight, and then you are automatically enrolled in the 12-month support pathway.

What are the three options on the reorder notification?

Option 1: I want to reorder my medication. Option 2: I have stopped taking my weight loss medication (this enrols you in cessation support). Option 3: I have moved to another provider.

Can I enrol at any other time, or only when I receive a reorder notification?

Enrolment is triggered when you receive your medication reorder notification and select the option confirming you have stopped taking your medication.

What happens during the 12-month program?

The program includes check-ins at key intervals: a video consultation at Week 4, questionnaires at Week 8, Week 12, Month 6, and Month 9, and a comprehensive final review at Month 12.

What happens at the Week 4 video consultation?

A specialist weight loss clinician will assess how you are adjusting, discuss any challenges with appetite or eating patterns, and create a personalised support plan.

What do the questionnaires cover?

Each questionnaire takes 5–10 minutes and covers your current weight, hunger and appetite levels, eating patterns and challenges, physical activity levels, mood and wellbeing, your confidence in maintaining your weight, and any support you would

like.

What happens at the Month 12 final review?

A comprehensive review of your 12-month journey. Your clinician will assess your progress and discuss next steps: discharge if you are maintaining well, continued monitoring (every 6 months), restarting medication if appropriate, or specialist referral (such as a dietitian).

How will I know when a check-in is due?

You will receive a notification in the NowPatient app when a questionnaire or consultation is due. You can complete questionnaires directly in the app.

Where do I find my cessation support in the NowPatient app?

Once enrolled, a Weight Loss Treatment Cessation meter appears in the Prescribed Medication Support section of your account homepage. It includes a Progress Dial showing your position in the program, notification icons for due consultations and questionnaires, resources for diet and lifestyle support, and a support button for booking ad-hoc consultations.

Can I track my progress through the program?

Yes. The Progress Dial on your dashboard provides a visual display of your progress through the 12-month program, with your current position clearly marked.

What happens if I start regaining weight?

NowPatient monitors your progress at every check-in. If you regain more than 5% of your baseline weight, clinicians will contact you to schedule a video consultation, review what is happening, provide enhanced support with targeted advice, discuss whether restarting medication might be appropriate, and refer you to specialist services if needed.

What counts as significant weight regain?

Significant weight regain is defined as more than 5% of your baseline weight. The goal is to identify any regain early and provide support before it becomes more substantial.

Can I restart my weight loss medication during the program?

Yes. At any point, 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 are worsening, you feel you would benefit from medication support, or your quality of life is significantly affected.

How do I request to restart medication?

Use the ‘Restart Medication’ option in your cessation support dashboard, or mention it in any questionnaire. A clinician will arrange a consultation to assess whether restarting treatment is right for you.

What if I have concerns between scheduled check-ins?

You do not have to wait. At any time 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, or contact the support team for urgent concerns.

What support resources are available?

The program provides access to resources covering diet, physical activity, lifestyle support, and stress management. These are available through your cessation dashboard in the NowPatient app at any time.

What happens at the end of the 12-month program?

At your Month 12 review, your clinician will assess your progress and discuss the best path forward: discharge if you are maintaining well, continued periodic monitoring (every 6 months), restarting medication if clinically appropriate, or specialist referral such as a dietitian.

Can I continue receiving support after the 12 months?

If you would benefit from ongoing check-ins, your clinician can recommend continued monitoring with periodic reviews every 6 months.

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 doctor. Referral letters can be viewed in the ‘Documents’ section of your account.

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