In the ever-changing world of health and wellness, the path to achieving a healthy weight is complex, involving a mix of lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, and sometimes, medical help. Wegovy®, a prescription medication designed to help people lose weight, is one such treatment that has received considerable interest. Wegovy® is an FDA-approved prescription drug for weight management. It is mostly prescribed to obese adults or overweight people who have weight-related medical issues. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy®, acts like a hormone, targeting brain regions involved in controlling appetite.
If you're thinking about using semaglutide for weight loss, you might be wondering: How long does it take to start working? How quickly can I expect to see results? Here's a breakdown of what you can expect during your weight loss journey with Wegovy.
How Wegovy Works
Wegovy (semaglutide) is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Semaglutide is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that helps regulate appetite and metabolism. As a result, semaglutide helps control cravings, regulate blood sugar, and promote long-term, sustainable weight loss. It works by acting like a hormone in your body that signals brain receptors involved in your appetite and food intake. It can reduce your appetite, which may help you eat less and lead to weight loss.
The Wegovy Weight Loss Timeline
The timeline for weight loss with Wegovy® can be different for each person, but clinical trials have given a general idea of what to expect. Semaglutide starts working immediately after the first dose, as it begins mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. It typically takes about two weeks for semaglutide to start working in the body. Most people begin seeing weight loss results within 8-12 weeks. For those who continue using semaglutide for a year or more, total weight loss may reach up to 15% of initial body weight.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the Wegovy weight loss timeline:
Read also: Sustainable weight loss using Wegovy
Initial Weeks
Semaglutide starts working immediately in the body after the first dose, but noticeable effects take time. Appetite suppression can begin within a few days to a week, while measurable weight loss typically starts around weeks 3-4.
- Weeks 1 & 2: The first few weeks of taking Wegovy are all about getting used to the medication. You'll be starting on a dosage of 0.25mg. Although this is a small dosage, your body will start almost immediately recognise the effects of the medication. One of the key effects is the sensation of feeling full. Your appetite will be noticeably smaller than previously, and you will feel much fuller for longer after meals. At this stage, however, this sensation will start to wear off after 4 to 5 days of being on the drug. Your level of semaglutide in your body is not steady yet, so will fluctuate depending on how long it is since you took the injection. The other thing you may start to feel is some of the side effects of the drug-after all, your body is still getting used to the medication. Nausea, constipation, mild abdominal pain and diarrhoea are not uncommon at this stage. This shouldn't feel unexpected, and only need to be reported to a doctor or medical professional if they persist or worsen. You may potentially lose a couple of pounds here, but this will be too small to notice any physical change.
- Weeks 3 & 4: You are still, at this stage, on a 0.25mg dosage of Wegovy. This is the point where your body is starting to reach a more steady stage-rather than the levels of medication fluctuating in your body, it is becoming more constant. That means that the desired feeling of fullness should be more consistent throughout the week. Again, weight loss at this stage may start to be limited, but you may have lost somewhere around 5-6 pounds, or even more. It may still be too soon to see any physical signs of weight loss, but you are certainly heading in the right direction.
Months 2-4: Gradual Weight Loss
Most individuals begin to see noticeable weight loss within the first 12 weeks of starting the treatment.
- Weeks 5 & 6: After four weeks on a 0.25mg dosage, and if you are comfortably coping at this dosage, you should titrate your dosage up to 0.5mg. Your body gets used to medication at this level, and knows how to counteract it, so to see real results it is advised to increase the dosage. As a result, many doctors say that this is the point at which weight loss really starts to happen. This stage, you can imagine, is one of the more satisfying points in the journey. The benefits of four weeks of hard work are starting to show, and can be a timely reminder as to why you started taking Wegovy in the first place. It differs for each person, but you can expect to see roughly a 2 to 4% reduction in body fat. This means you’ll start to see physical signs of weight loss in different parts of your body-smaller stomach, more defined muscles in your legs and arms, and so on. This of course will be helped by the regular routine of exercise you are undertaking, which should be helping you to build muscle across the body. As you increase your dosage, you may start to see the return of certain side effects of the medication. This is expected, and there are a number of ways that you can help your body manage these side effects-such as keeping well hydrated, knowing which foods to avoid, and getting plenty of fresh air.
- Weeks 7 & 8: At this point, you will still be at a 0.5mg dosage, provided that you are coping well with side effects. Weight loss should be well underway, and hopefully you will start to see some of the secondary benefits of losing weight and eating more healthily. This might include feeling generally fitter, whether this is when you are exercising or just in your day-to-day life. You might also expect to be sleeping better and see overall improvements in your mental health-both things that can be intrinsically linked to your physical health.
- Month 2: Dose: 0.5mg | Expected weight loss: 4% body weight
- Month 3: Dose: 1mg | Expected weight loss: 6% body weight
- Month 4: Dose: 1.7mg | Expected weight loss: 8% body weight
Peak Weight Loss Phase
Between six to nine months of treatment, individuals often experience the most substantial weight loss.
Maintenance Phase
After the peak period, the focus shifts towards maintaining the weight loss achieved.
Long-Term Expectations
- Month 5: Dose: 2.4mg | Expected weight loss: 10% body weight
- Month 6 onwards: Dose: 2.4mg | Expected weight loss after 17 months: 17% body weight
For those who continue using semaglutide for a year or more, total weight loss may reach up to 15% of initial body weight. By the 18-month mark you can expect weight loss of around 17% of your starting body weight. You should be able to better regulate your appetite and be following a lifestyle of healthy eating and plenty of physical activity.
Read also: Weekly Wegovy Progress
Factors Influencing Weight Loss
The amount of weight one can lose while taking Wegovy® is influenced by various factors including baseline weight, adherence to a healthy diet, and regular physical activity.
Dosage and Administration
Semaglutide is administered as a simple, painless weekly injection using an easy-to-use prefilled pen device. Wegovy doses are slowly increased when you first start treatment to help reduce side effects like nausea or diarrhea. The maintenance dose of Wegovy (semaglutide) is 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once-a-week, with or without meals. It comes in a pre-filled, single-dose pen. Following the prescribed dosage and working with a healthcare provider is crucial to ensure safe and effective treatment.
The dosage schedule looks like:
- Weeks 9-12 at 1mg
- Weeks 13-16 at 1.7mg
- Weeks 17-onwards at 2.4mg
Real Patient Experiences
Form Health patient Terri K. is taking Wegovy as part of her personalized weight loss plan. She has journaled about her Wegovy first month results, before and after experience, and more to help others understand what it is like to take this popular weight loss medication from week to week.
- Week 1: "I lost 1 pound on my first week on Wegovy, but more importantly I have hope that I can be successful on my weight loss journey. It was exciting to see the scale move in the right direction."
- Week 2: "I lost 3 pounds in my second week of Wegovy, the weight is really starting to come off."
- Week 3: "It’s week 3 on Wegovy and I am down 6 pounds already! I am feeling more motivated and encouraged than I ever have been on a weight loss journey."
- Week 4: "This is week 4 on Wegovy and I have lost 8 lbs, which is about 2 lbs a week. I am amazed and excited by my progress."
- Week 8 and Beyond: "Together, Wegovy and my Form Health team have helped me lose 18 pounds… For me, my decrease in appetite has been life changing and by far the best part of the experience. Prior to taking Wegovy, my appetite, hunger, and thoughts of food took up so much space in my brain. Now I don’t have the desire or urge to eat sweets or drink alcohol. This is something I’ve never experienced before, and it’s been a huge benefit."
Important Considerations and Potential Side Effects
This is not all the information you need to know about Wegovy (semaglutide) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions.
Read also: Duration of Wegovy Treatment
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer: Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby.
- Drug Interactions: Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin.
- Pancreatitis: Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting.
- Gallbladder problems: Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery.
- Hypoglycemia: Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®.
- Kidney Problems: Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
- Severe stomach problems: Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Wegovy®.
- Increased heart rate: Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest.
- Depression or thoughts of suicide: You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
- Risk during surgery: Wegovy® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures.
Stomach side effects are most common when starting treatment but decrease over time in most people.
Lifestyle Changes and Holistic Approaches
While medications like Wegovy® offer a pharmaceutical approach to weight management, natural weight loss retreats offer a comprehensive, lifestyle-based solution. To summarize, while Wegovy® presents a promising option for individuals struggling with weight loss, the most significant weight reduction typically occurs between six to nine months of treatment. This journey, however, is not solely reliant on medication. Most individuals do not experience dramatic weight loss in the first week. The effects of semaglutide build gradually as the body adjusts. While initial results may seem small, consistency is key.
Incorporating lifestyle changes can not only enhance the effects of Wegovy® but also contribute to a more sustainable and holistic approach to weight management. You should be starting to incorporate healthier habits into your lifestyle, such as eating a more balanced diet and leading a more active lifestyle.
Building Healthy Habits
Now is a really good time to double down on healthy habits. Many people talk about the 21/90 rule-that it takes 21 days to make a habit, and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. So if you’ve not done it already, which ideally you’d want to have done from the start, put some real consideration into the habits you want to implement permanently into your day to day life. How much sleep are you getting and how is your sleep hygiene? How frequently are you doing exercise, and what kind of exercise? What sort of meals are you eating, how are you approaching snacking, and are you allowing yourself treats? These are the sorts of questions that you should be asking yourself to formulate your habits going forward.
Maintaining healthy habits over a long period of time can still be a challenge, and may require creativity in order to keep it up.