Greek obesity expert says stopping treatment causes weight regain

Endocrinologist E. Foustieris explained that obesity should be treated like hypertension or diabetes, emphasizing that discontinuing therapy leads to rapid weight regain. He cited a recent study published in the British Medical Journal showing patients who stopped medication regained almost all lost weight within one to two years, while those who maintained the full dose for three‑to‑four years kept about 23 % of their weight loss. The expert highlighted additional health benefits of continuous treatment, such as reduced risk of pre‑diabetes, heart attack, stroke, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea and osteoarthritis. He warned that the possible termination of Greece’s public funding programme for anti‑obesity drugs could force many patients to halt therapy, noting that “there are no equivalent alternatives currently available.” Foustieris advised patients who can afford it to continue treatment, even at a lower dose, until funding is restored.