The Truth and How to Act On It
By Sukhi Basra, Prescribing Pharmacist | Founder, The London PharmaClinic at Clinichem Pharmacy, Victoria.
You may have seen the headline:
“Slimming jab users regain weight four times faster than other dieters.”
It’s the kind of statement that grabs attention and sparks confusion, fear, and shame.
But what’s the truth behind this claim? Is it really happening? And more importantly:
Is there a better way forward?
Let’s clarify with clinical evidence, not headlines.
The Claim: “You’ll Just Regain the Weight”
A widely circulated article recently suggested that patients using medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound) “gain weight four times faster” than other dieters once they stop.
What these headlines don’t say:
- GLP-1 users lost more weight to begin with, up to 22.5% of body weight in some cases.
- “Other dieters” often regain weight too, but without the same metabolic scrutiny.
- Regain isn’t failure, it’s biology.
The Evidence-Based Truth
Yes, Weight Regain Can Happen But It’s Predictable
A 2025 meta-analysis in The Lancet eClinicalMedicine showed:
- GLP-1 users (semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide) regained 7.3kg on average within 6–12 months of stopping.
- The regain was faster than in placebo groups but only because the initial weight loss was greater.
- Regain was driven by physiological changes:
- Appetite hormones returned to baseline
- Satiety signals reduced
- Set-point weight mechanisms reactivated
📖 Tzang et al., 2025. Metabolic Rebound after GLP-1 Discontinuation. The Lancet eClinicalMedicine.
So… Are Slimming Injections Worth It?
Absolutely when used correctly and responsibly.
GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 medications are the most effective obesity treatments to date, with outcomes including:
- 15–22.5% total weight loss
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Reduced inflammation and cardiovascular risk
But the key lies in wraparound care not just the jab.
Why People Regain: It’s Not a Lack of Willpower
Let’s be clear:
Weight regain is not your fault.
It’s the result of a body returning to survival mode.
When people stop these medications suddenly without clinical supervision or a support plan the body:
- Increases hunger signals (ghrelin)
- Reduces energy output
- Seeks its former weight set-point
In the absence of:
- Structured tapering
- Metabolic support
- Gut and hormone optimisation
…regain is common. But it’s not inevitable.
The London PharmaClinic Approach
“Medication is just one piece. You’re the whole picture.”
We do things differently here.
As a private clinical service within Clinichem Pharmacy, we combine the best of regulated care with advanced private support.
Our care includes:
- Clinical investigations (e.g. thyroid, insulin resistance, cortisol, PCOS)
- Tailored prescribing of GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medication
- Gut health support to reduce inflammation and support long-term metabolism
- Tapering plans and maintenance pathways post-medication
- Mindset coaching to address emotional eating and behavioural habits
- Personalised nutrition and movement strategy
- Your own clinician, not a chatbot, not an app
This is not a subscription service or a “slimming injection scheme.”
This is real medical care, built around you.
Who’s Behind the Clinic?
With over 28 years in the pharmacy and prescribing sector, I’ve helped lead NHS services, appeared on BBC Radio and TV, and trained in complex weight and hormone care.
I created The London PharmaClinic, based inside Clinichem Pharmacy, because patients deserved more than quick fixes and conflicting advice.
They deserved a space where:
- Their story is heard
- Their root causes are explored
- Their outcome is sustained
The Real Conversation Patients Should Hear
| 🔥 The Hype | 🧠 The Reality |
|---|---|
| “You’ll regain it all” | Only if you stop abruptly or go unsupported |
| “Other diets are safer” | Most diets fail within 1–5 years, GLP-1s outperform all |
| “These are just injections” | No, they’re tools. But they require expert care to work long term |
What Patients Are Saying
“For the first time, someone looked at my hormones, my gut, and my life, not just my weight.”
Clinic patient, 2025
“This isn’t a jab and go. This is actual care, from someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Clinic patient, 2024
Ready to Take Control?
Whether you’re:
- On GLP-1 therapy now
- Considering it
- Worried about stopping
We’re here to help you:
- Understand what’s happening inside your body
- Prevent rebound
- Build metabolic resilience
- Finally break the cycle
How to Book
The London PharmaClinic is located inside Clinichem Pharmacy, 29 Upper Tachbrook Street, Victoria, SW1V 1SN.
🩺 Appointments available online or in-clinic
💬 Speak directly with a clinician, not a call centre
📅 Book your consultation at: Book your appointment – The London Pharma Clinic
📧 Or contact us: hello@TheLondonPharmaClinic.com
Final Word
Weight regain headlines may cause panic.
But with the right care plan you stay in control.
At The London PharmaClinic, we don’t just treat the weight.
We treat why the weight was there in the first place.
