Recent research presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2026 suggests that a minimally invasive outpatient procedure known as duodenal mucosal resurfacing may help individuals maintain weight loss after discontinuing popular medications like Ozempic and semaglutide. Approximately 70% of users regain much of the weight they lost after stopping these treatments, typically within 18 months. This weight regain poses a significant challenge, particularly given that nearly 20% of adults with obesity have used glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications.
The study, led by Dr. Shelby Sullivan from Dartmouth Health, provides the first randomized, sham-controlled evidence indicating that duodenal mucosal resurfacing could offer a safe alternative for weight maintenance without ongoing medication. The procedure involves using controlled heat to remove damaged tissue from the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, thereby promoting the growth of healthier tissue. This may help restore metabolic function and reduce the likelihood of weight regain after patients stop taking medications.
Initial findings from the REMAIN-1 trial, which includes 45 participants who had lost at least 15% of their body weight on tirzepatide, reveal that those who received the resurfacing treatment regained significantly less weight compared to those who underwent a sham procedure. Six months post-treatment, participants who had the actual procedure regained only about 7 pounds on average, retaining over 80% of their lost weight, whereas those in the control group regained nearly double that amount.