What Happens After You Reach Your Goal Weight on Wegovy
For many people starting Wegovy (semaglutide), the journey is focused on milestones: pounds lost, smaller clothing sizes, quieter food noise. But what happens when you actually reach your goal weight?
Across Reddit, users share a wide range of experiences. Some taper off the medication, others stay on long-term, and some stop altogether-often with very different outcomes. Alongside the physical changes, there are also emotional challenges, insurance hurdles, and questions about whether Wegovy is meant to be taken for life.
This article explores what patients report after hitting their goal weight, highlighting the real-life paths people take and the lessons they’ve learned.
"My Doctor Wants Me to Taper Down"
Some doctors encourage patients to taper off Wegovy once they’ve achieved their target weight. For some, that feels abrupt and even risky.
"After 6 months I've hit my goal weight… my doctor recommends just stopping (cold turkey) aka the protocol. I feel like tapering off would be a better idea." –littlegreenmake
"Per my doctor’s instructions I tapered off. After hitting my goal weight (175 from 269) I went 2.4 every other week, then 1.7 every other week, then off the medication." –Sotal_Tense
"I have to presume that given the long, slow taper up, a similar taper down would be recommended. Research indicates people gain weight back when they stop." –Agent__lulu
For many, tapering feels safer than stopping abruptly. But even with a slow reduction, hunger and food noise often return, leaving patients anxious about regaining.
Staying on Wegovy for Maintenance
Others find stability by remaining on Wegovy, sometimes at a lower "maintenance dose," sometimes at the full dose.
"I’ve now been on maintenance for 9–10 months. I dropped down to 1.7 and take it every 10–12 days." –JustCallMeKV
"I’m on the highest dose of Ozempic and maintaining my goal weight. I have no desire to go down in dose." –blackaubreyplaza
"Maintenance is going to be whatever dose that keeps you from gaining or losing. For you, maybe that’s 1.7 or taking 2.4 every 10 days." –sambr011
Maintenance dosing highlights a key theme: obesity is chronic. For many, continued medication helps preserve weight loss in the long run.
Stopping Altogether: What Happens Then?
Not everyone wants-or is able-to stay on Wegovy. Some choose to stop, whether by necessity or personal preference. The results are mixed.
"Been off Wegovy for two months and I have maintained my goal weight with fluctuations of about 3–5 pounds… mindful eating, not overeating and stopping when full." –Randomtatertogo
"I'm maintaining my weight (minus 27 kg) a year after stopping Wegovy." –Serious_Carpet_9209
"I went off in August and gained 40 pounds by the end of Xmas. I was starving!!!! The food noise came back with a vengeance." –Pinkdivaisme
Some manage with mindful eating and new habits. But others experience rapid weight regain, underscoring how challenging long-term maintenance can be without medication support.
Insurance, Cost, and Access Issues
Even if patients want to continue, insurance and cost often decide the matter.
"I can’t afford Wegovy any longer (UK out of pocket)… if I can keep stable I’ll be happy with that as my BMI is healthy." –epinglerouge
"My insurance will only cover the 2.4 dosage during maintenance which is DUMB. So with my doctor’s ok I take a lower dosage… Been maintaining for over 2 years now." –asmit318
"My insurance stopped covering it once I reached a healthy weight… I went off in September and gained back 25 by Thanksgiving." –doggypaddle6
For many, coverage ends once they’re no longer considered "obese." That leaves patients scrambling for alternatives: stretching doses, splitting pens, or stopping altogether-often with difficult consequences.
Emotional and Psychological Side
Reaching goal weight is often a moment of pride-but it can also be surprisingly disorienting.
"I am a size 4 now and it's f'ing with my head.. like, is this for real?!!!" –lynnwilson27
"I hope that I won’t get bad body dysmorphia and not know when to stop. I also want to keep some fat in my face so that I don’t age a ton." –[deleted]
"I reached my goal weight (Yay! Now I need to work on actually seeing the weight loss. I know I'm smaller, but ... body dysmorphia)." –lobaird
Feelings of disbelief, body dysmorphia, and fear of regain are common. Many users emphasise that the psychological journey is just as important as the physical one.
Building Long-Term Habits
One consistent lesson from maintainers is that habits matter more than ever after reaching goal weight.
"Split meals with my husband at restaurants (or bring 1/2 home), AND… cut out processed sugars COMPLETELY. FOREVER." –Great_Programmer_380
"Maintaining for me was tracking calories and keeping a sensible and manageable exercise routine. I maintained for over 5 years." –Flapparachi
"Weighing once a month and tracking calories during the week. I’m hoping to titrate down gradually with Wegovy and do this again." –Flapparachi
Exercise, calorie tracking, meal planning, and mindful eating are frequent themes. The drug may help stabilise weight, but lifestyle habits remain essential for long-term success.
When Wegovy Feels Like a Lifelong Medication
For many, the conclusion is simple: Wegovy isn’t a temporary fix. It’s a chronic treatment, much like medication for blood pressure or diabetes.
"It’s designed to be taken for life. Typically, people will regain 66% of the weight lost in a year after stopping." –Educational_Run_5978
"My doctor told me this: ‘Obesity is a chronic condition, you will be on Wegovy for life.’ I'm not going off it." –GunMetalBlonde
"No one would chastise blood pressure or cholesterol meds or birth control meds for life so I don’t understand why people judge this." –Last_Ask4923
This perspective helps some patients accept long-term use, framing Wegovy not as a short-term boost but as ongoing medical support.
Fertility, Pregnancy, and Other Transitions
Life stages also shape decisions about staying on or coming off Wegovy. While not as widely discussed, some users report pausing for fertility treatments, pregnancy, or menopause transitions. These moments often bring added anxiety about maintaining weight but highlight the need for tailored, patient-specific plans.
Pharmacist Commentary
Pharmacist Alessandro Grenci offers this balanced view:
"Reaching goal weight is a huge achievement, but it’s not the end of treatment. For many, obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition, which means ongoing support-sometimes with medication-is necessary. Stopping too quickly often leads to weight regain, while staying on indefinitely has cost and side effect considerations. The best approach is individual: a balance of lifestyle, medical guidance, and the lowest effective dose for long-term stability."
Conclusion: A Milestone, Not the Finish Line
Reaching your goal weight on Wegovy is a huge milestone. But as countless users report, the real challenge often begins afterwards.
Some taper off, others switch to maintenance, and many realise they may need Wegovy long-term. Insurance and cost complicate the picture, while the emotional adjustment can be as tough as the physical one.
The common thread is clear: maintaining weight loss requires ongoing support, whether through medication, lifestyle changes, or both. Reaching goal weight is not the end of the journey-it’s the start of a new phase.
