Weight Loss Plateaus: Understanding Their Causes and Treatment Options
Weight loss plateaus are a significant challenge for individuals trying to lose weight. Research suggests that after about a year of dieting, the body starts to counteract weight loss efforts, causing a plateau.
Dr. Frank Chae, a bariatric surgeon, explains that this plateau occurs due to the body’s survival mechanism. As weight is lost, the body increases appetite to regain lost calories.
Clinical studies show that weight loss drugs can help delay the onset of plateaus. Dr. Chae highlights the effectiveness of semaglutide injections (Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound) in extending the duration of weight loss before reaching a plateau, compared to calorie restriction alone.
Gastric bypass surgery has been found to be the most effective treatment in delaying plateaus, adding an additional year of weight loss on average.
While weight loss drugs can be beneficial, Dr. Chae cautions that they are not a permanent solution. Long-term effects of these medications are still being studied.
Obesity affects nearly a third of adults in the United States, and Dr. Chae emphasizes that it is a disease, not a lifestyle issue. He advocates for medical treatments that target the obesity hormones, such as semaglutide injections and gastric bypass surgery, to overcome the challenges of weight loss plateaus.
