Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The truth about GLP-1 medications for weight loss: What every patient should know

Nisha Kuruvadi, DO
Meds
May 9, 2025
Share
Tweet
Share

For years, weight loss has been sold as a simple math problem: eat less, move more, and the pounds will melt away. But if that were true, we wouldn’t have an obesity epidemic affecting over 40 percent of adults in the U.S.

Now, a new class of medications—GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)—are changing the game. People who have struggled with their weight for years are seeing real, lasting results. But with that success has come controversy.

Some claim these medications are a “quick fix.” Others argue they’re unnecessary if people just “try harder.” Meanwhile, patients who have battled their weight for decades are left wondering: Is this finally the solution I’ve been waiting for?

As a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these medications can be—but also how much misinformation surrounds them. So, let’s break it down: What do these medications really do? Who are they for? And what happens if you stop taking them?

GLP-1 medications: a game-changer for weight loss

Imagine your body has a built-in thermostat for weight. If you lose pounds through diet alone, your body fights back—by ramping up hunger, slowing metabolism, and making food seem irresistible. This is why 95 percent of people regain lost weight.

GLP-1 medications change that.

Originally developed to treat diabetes, these drugs mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. They:

  • Reduce hunger. You feel full sooner.
  • Decrease cravings. That nagging urge to snack disappears.
  • Help regulate blood sugar, which can lower the risk of diabetes.

The results? Patients lose, on average, 5 to 20 percent of their body weight—something that was once only possible with bariatric surgery.

The biggest misconceptions about GLP-1 medications

1. Myth: “They’re just a shortcut.” This is one of the most harmful myths out there.

If obesity were simply about willpower, we wouldn’t see people fighting their weight for years despite endless dieting, exercise, and frustration. Obesity is a hormonal, metabolic condition, not a character flaw.

GLP-1 medications don’t make weight loss “easy”—they make it possible. They level the playing field so patients can adopt healthier habits without battling overwhelming hunger and cravings.

ADVERTISEMENT

2. Myth: “GLP-1 medications always fail because you gain all the weight back.” The truth? Many people will regain weight after stopping—just like someone with high blood pressure would see their numbers go up if they stopped taking their medication. This isn’t failure. It’s simply biology.

Obesity is a chronic condition, and like any chronic disease, it requires long-term management. That doesn’t mean you’re locked into medication forever—some people transition to lifestyle-only approaches—but for many, staying on treatment is what helps keep the weight off.

3. Myth: “You don’t need medication if you just eat healthy and exercise.” Would we ever say, “You don’t need insulin—just eat better!” to a diabetic? Of course not.

Or tell someone with depression to “just think positive and snap out of it”? That would be dismissive and harmful.

Obesity, like diabetes and depression, is a medical condition with biological roots—not a failure of willpower. Lifestyle changes matter—a lot. But for many people, they aren’t enough on their own. GLP-1s make those changes more effective by helping people control hunger and develop sustainable habits.

These medications aren’t a replacement for healthy eating, movement, sleep, and stress management. They’re a tool—one that makes long-term success far more achievable.

Who should consider GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1s are approved for individuals with:

  • A BMI over 30 (or over 27 with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure).
  • A history of struggling with weight loss despite serious efforts.

They’re not for everyone. Some people experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. Others may have medical conditions that make them unsuitable. That’s why the best approach is a personalized one—working with a doctor trained in obesity medicine to find the right strategy for you.

The future of obesity medicine

We’re in a new era of obesity treatment. The days of blaming patients for their weight are fading, and science is finally catching up to what many of us in obesity medicine have known for years: Obesity isn’t a lack of effort. It’s a chronic condition that deserves real treatment.

GLP-1 medications are just the beginning. Research is advancing rapidly, and in the next few years, we’ll see even more effective treatments.

The bottom line? If you’ve spent years feeling like you’re fighting your own body, it’s not your fault. And more importantly—there’s help.

If you’ve been wondering whether GLP-1s are right for you, talk to a doctor who understands obesity medicine. The right treatment can be life-changing.

Nisha Kuruvadi is an internal medicine physician.

Prev

The moment I knew medicine needed more than science

May 9, 2025 Kevin 0
…
Next

A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

May 9, 2025 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Obesity

Post navigation

< Previous Post
The moment I knew medicine needed more than science
Next Post >
A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Nisha Kuruvadi, DO

  • How quality sleep can be your secret weapon for effective weight loss

    Nisha Kuruvadi, DO

Related Posts

  • How weight loss drugs are creating a medical dilemma

    Yasmine Kamgarhaghighi
  • The untold truth behind our reliance on prescription medications

    Josh Moen, PhD, MPH, PA-C
  • It is time for the FDA to re-evaluate metrics for weight loss drugs

    Tatum R. Dam, Diana A. Hla, Aditya Narayan, and Ank A. Agarwal
  • Unveiling the game-changing diabetic drugs: Revolutionizing weight loss and diabetes management

    Dinesh Arab, MD
  • The ritual of taking medications: the pill wheel

    Fery Pashang, PharmD
  • Are you storing your medications wrong?

    Dr. Farees Ahmad Khan & Dr. Sarah Alnaher

More in Meds

  • A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

    Tomi Mitchell, MD
  • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

    Richard A. Lawhern, PhD
  • Biologics are not small molecules: the case for pre-allergy testing in an era of immune-based therapies

    Robert Trent
  • The anesthesia spectrum: Guiding patients through comfort options in oral surgery

    Dexter Mattox, MD, DMD
  • Functional precision oncology: a game changer in cancer therapy

    Chris Apfel, MD, PhD, MBA
  • Why prescribing medicine to kids scares even experienced doctors

    Dr. Damane Zehra
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The hidden impact of denials on health care systems

      Diana Ortiz, JD | Finance
    • A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Meds
    • Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Understanding therapy beyond crisis management [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting

      American College of Physicians | Physician
    • Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke

      Salim Afshar, MD, DMD | Physician
    • What happened to real care in health care?

      Christopher H. Foster, PhD, MPA | Policy
    • The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Flatline: Our nation is dying, and we’re ignoring the signs

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Understanding therapy beyond crisis management [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Health workers deserve care too: How to protect their mental health

      Corey Feist, JD, MBA & Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Meds
    • The truth about GLP-1 medications for weight loss: What every patient should know

      Nisha Kuruvadi, DO | Meds
    • The moment I knew medicine needed more than science

      Vaishali Jha | Education
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The hidden impact of denials on health care systems

      Diana Ortiz, JD | Finance
    • A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Meds
    • Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Understanding therapy beyond crisis management [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting

      American College of Physicians | Physician
    • Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke

      Salim Afshar, MD, DMD | Physician
    • What happened to real care in health care?

      Christopher H. Foster, PhD, MPA | Policy
    • The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Flatline: Our nation is dying, and we’re ignoring the signs

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Understanding therapy beyond crisis management [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Health workers deserve care too: How to protect their mental health

      Corey Feist, JD, MBA & Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Meds
    • The truth about GLP-1 medications for weight loss: What every patient should know

      Nisha Kuruvadi, DO | Meds
    • The moment I knew medicine needed more than science

      Vaishali Jha | Education
    • A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how

      Ankit Jain | Education

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...