Most surgeons recommend waiting at least 12 to 18 months at a stable weight before considering surgery
Additionally, it boosts muscle energy and reduces fatigue, benefiting athletes and active individuals with improved performance and recovery
Both have short half-lives because of rapid enzymatic inactivation mainly by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
Plateaus Are Normal: What to Expect: Initial rapid loss (first 3 months) Continued steady loss (months 4-12) Plateau period (months 13-18) Final adjustments (months 19-24) Plateaus dont mean failure: Natural part of weight loss Body adjusting to new weight May need dose optimization Continue medication to maintain loss Non-Scale Victories: Results Beyond the Number: Even if weight loss is slower than hoped, patients experience: Reduced waist circumference: Lost inches even when scale stalls Better blood pressure: 5-10 mmHg reduction common Improved blood sugar: A1C reductions of 1-2 points Better cholesterol: 10-20% improvement in lipids Increased energy: From weight loss and metabolic improvements Improved mobility: Easier movement, less joint pain Better sleep: Improvement in sleep apnea Enhanced quality of life: Confidence, mood, relationships These improvements matter regardless of exact pounds lost
Removal from Category 2 does not automatically grant Category 1 status
47,48 This is partly due to limitations in the ability to quantify the risk of cancer in patients with a rare disease and differences in the methodological approaches
