MAINTAIN (Mucosal AblatIoN Therapy After INcretins)

This study tests whether gastric fundal mucosal ablation (GFMA) — an endoscopic procedure that uses a controlled burn to destroy hunger-hormone-producing cells in the stomach lining — can help people maintain weight loss after stopping GLP-1 receptor agonist medications (such as semaglutide or tirzepatide), which are widely used for obesity but cause significant weight regain when discontinued. The procedure aims to reduce the hunger hormone ghrelin and make the stomach feel fuller sooner, mimicking some of the appetite-suppressing effects of the medication. Adults aged 21–65 with a BMI of 30–45 who lost at least 10% of their body weight on semaglutide or tirzepatide, have recently stopped or plan to stop the medication, and have no history of diabetes are eligible. Participation involves undergoing the GFMA procedure under standard endoscopy and completing weight, appetite, and quality-of-life assessments at follow-up visits over the study duration. This summary was generated with AI assistance and is intended to help patients understand the study in plain language.