Wegovy Before and After - Weight Loss Results

Brenda Ikeji

Medically reviewed by

Dr Brenda Ikeji

Last reviewed: 16 Oct 2024

To get the most out of your weight loss journey, it helps to think about what to expect from treatment and how long it takes to achieve results. While on Wegovy, you should see consistent weight loss throughout your treatment and expect to lose around 15% of your weight after taking it for 68 weeks (just over 15 months) at the 2.4mg maintenance dose. These results were seen when also following a reduced-calorie, healthy diet plan and exercising regularly.

But what should you expect in the first month of taking Wegovy, and how will it affect your life before and after starting treatment? Here, we look at Wegovy, how it works and how it will affect your weight and body after your first month and beyond.

Contents
 

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a type of prescription weight loss medication called a GLP-1 agonist. It works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and binding to the same receptors in your body. This makes you feel fuller while reducing your appetite to help manage cravings.

This essentially makes it easier to eat less, so you lose more weight, provided you’re also sticking to a healthier diet and exercise plan. Studies have shown Wegovy to be a safe and effective weight loss method, with people losing up to 15% of their starting body weight while taking the maintenance dose of 2.4mg for 68 weeks as part of a weight loss programme.

Wegovy is an appetite suppressant, but it doesn’t burn fat or calories, so you need to eat less and eat healthier for it to work effectively. Your doctor can provide information on eating the right foods with Wegovy so you can lose weight and still get the nutrition you need.

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is also the active ingredient in a diabetes drug called Ozempic. Originally, this medication was used to treat type 2 diabetes, but as it was seen to help patients lose weight, a new version was developed to focus strictly on weight loss. So, while these 2 drugs do the same thing, Wegovy has been designed purely with weight loss in mind and has a different dosage schedule.

How Wegovy works for weight loss

Wegovy works for weight loss by controlling your appetite and helping you regulate how much you eat. It does this because it is a type of medication called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone produced naturally by your body that signals to your brain that your body is full and doesn’t need to eat any more food. This hormone also affects how quickly your stomach empties (which makes you feel fuller for longer) and changes how much insulin you produce (affecting weight and appetite and is beneficial for the management of blood sugar in people with diabetes).

By mimicking this hormone, Wegovy essentially tricks your brain into thinking it’s full and changes how quickly you empty your stomach, so you feel fuller from less food for longer. This, combined with a diet plan and exercise regime, leads you to lose significantly more weight than you would with diet and exercise alone – studies show people taking 2.4mg of Wegovy for 68 weeks can lose 15% of their weight, while people taking a placebo only lost 2.4%.

Wegovy before and after: first month results

Studies have shown that, on average, people lose 2% or more of their starting weight in their first month of Wegovy. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s weight loss is different, and we call it a weight loss journey because it takes time. There are also other factors that will affect your weight loss in the first month, such as your diet, exercise regime, starting weight, and how well you tolerate treatment.

You may find that if you’ve been eating more calories than your daily recommended amount, it might take a little longer than a few weeks to reduce your calories. In addition to this, because the starting dose of Wegovy is low, it may take a little bit of time for your body to adjust to it before it can begin to reduce your appetite enough to reach your 600-calorie deficit goal.

Dr Brenda Ikeji

People who change their diet and exercise regime vastly compared to before starting Wegovy, or people who weigh more, may be more likely to see results in the first month, but this doesn’t mean they’ll lose more weight overall. Some people lose weight faster at the start before this becomes more gradual, while others see gradual weight loss throughout the whole treatment course. Because of this, it’s essential to have realistic expectations and not to rush this process. Stick with it and make sure you keep up your exercise and healthy diet regime because you should start seeing results soon.” Dr Brenda Ikeji

Wegovy before and after photos

Heike lost 28kg in 8 months using Wegovy with ZAVA.

"I feel good! After years of being overweight, I finally managed to reach my goal weight and am now at a normal weight. I didn't have a single side effect during the entire journey."

Before and after image of weight loss treatment after 8 months

Your first month on Wegovy

Here, we’ll discuss what you can expect in your first month of Wegovy, but remember that everyone’s experience is different. If you’re worried about your treatment or how your first month is going, you can always ask us for advice – we’re here to support you. We’ll also supply you with a weight loss support pack for advice on nutrition, exercise and everything else you need to do for effective results during your Wegovy treatment.

Week 1: Your first dose and how your body responds

You'll start on the lowest dose of 0.25mg once a week. Your dose will be increased slowly every 4 weeks, or longer if you’re finding side effects more difficult to manage. This gives your body time to adjust to the treatment and can reduce your risk of side effects.

In this first week, you should start to notice some initial changes in your appetite – it may be very subtle or you may notice a big reduction in appetite, depending on how your body reacts to the medication. You should also notice that you're starting to feel fuller from your food. This is the perfect time to start reducing your food intake and thinking about adding more exercise to your routine.

Week 2: More appetite changes

With another dose you should start to see a further reduction in your appetite, so you'll generally feel less hungry. You'll also realise you're staying fuller from your meals for longer. This is a sign that your body is responding to the treatment. You may notice some minor weight loss on the scales due to changing your diet and exercise habits but don’t worry if this hasn’t happened yet.

Week 3: Monitoring for side effects

By week 3, you might be noticing some Wegovy side effects and changes to your appetite. Side effects can happen anytime while taking Wegovy, but they're most common in the first month and whenever you change doses. If you are getting side effects, don't panic. These tend to be mild and will usually go away on their own, so stick with it if you can. You can also manage them at home, such as eating small, plain meals if you feel nauseous and drinking lots of water if you’re having diarrhoea or vomiting. You can also take over-the-counter remedies.

The third week is also when you'll be ordering your next batch of treatment if you haven’t already, so you can increase the dose at week 5. If you're tolerating the medication well, you should be fine to have the next dose (0.5mg). Even if you feel ready to increase your dose, you must wait until 4 weeks have passed or you could be at risk of more serious side effects.

Week 4: Check your progress

By now, you'll have reached the end of your first month on Wegovy, and it's time to check your progress, weigh in and prepare for month 2. If you've lost weight, think of it as a bonus. While people usually lose weight in the first month, it's not uncommon to not lose much or any while your body is adapting to the medication and getting used to your new routine.

By now, you'll also see how the medication affects you and whether you have any side effects so you can better prepare to manage them as part of your treatment plan. Next week, you can increase your dose to 0.5mg if you’re ready.

"Remember: The first month is about adapting to your medication, healthy diet and exercise plan. You'll also be noticing how your appetite changes and how this affects your relationship with food. Try not to focus on the scales because this is a long process, and your first month isn't about results. It's about making a start and forging the habits that will get you results as you stick and work at your programme." Dr Brenda Ikeji

Our patient's stories:

While we can tell you what to expect, it also helps to hear it from other successful patients going through the same experiences. We’re helping over 60,000 people lose weight with our treatments – you’re never alone on this journey.

A zava success story. This patient lost weight using ZAVA online doctor!

Fiona, Newcastle

"Finally, I feel much lighter. I lost weight in all different parts of my body. It feels good to look in the mirror, and I feel much happier than before. Everything - so life in general - feels better. I love it when people give me compliments. When big people lose a bit of weight, it’s difficult for other people to see the difference. But since I have lost a considerable amount of weight, people do realise and compliment me. That makes me very happy. I will keep going!"

A zava success story. This patient lost weight using ZAVA online doctor!

Neal. H, Scotland

"I use the phrase genuinely life changing. I still have arthritis in my knee and can't walk like I used to, but I can do so much more. I can now go into a high-street shop and buy a pair of jeans off the peg without being told, "We can order that size in", "It's only available on the website", or more likely, only from some awful shop. I feel normal again and not embarrassed about my size."

A zava success story. This patient lost weight using ZAVA online doctor!

A.P, London

"My weight loss experience has been tremendous—far better than I could have hoped for! I have lost 23 kg in the six months since I started this treatment. At my heaviest, I simply didn't recognise myself. Today, I feel like my old (youthful) self. My mood, confidence, and general happiness have all greatly improved.”

What can affect Wegovy results?

There are lots of things that can affect Wegovy results, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to lose weight. It might just take longer, but you should stick with your lifestyle changes and the medication for at least 6 months if you can.

Age

Age can affect weight loss as it can be harder to lose weight as you get older. This can happen because your metabolism slows down (it’s harder to burn calories) and your hormones change. For example, weight gain is a common symptom of menopause, and men who experience reduced testosterone have trouble burning calories.

Diet

Diet plays a huge part in achieving weight loss results on Wegovy. If you’re not sticking to a healthy diet plan or you’re eating more calories than you’re burning, you will lose less weight or even gain weight on Wegovy. Remember, Wegovy can’t burn calories for you, it’ll only make it easier to eat less and snack less.

Exercise

How active you are will also affect how quickly you lose weight. You burn more calories if you’re more active, leading to more weight loss. If you’re more sedentary, you’ll burn fewer calories, slowing your weight loss progress. Exercise can also make your body fitter and healthier, increasing your metabolism so you lose weight easier. Strength training is a great way to keep burning calories even after working out.

Sticking to your medication

Missing doses or forgetting to take your medication can affect your weight loss results. Missing too many doses can also result in starting your treatment from the beginning again, affecting your results. To get the most out of Wegovy, it is important to stay on top of your doses and keep your treatment regular (each week, at the same time). This keeps the levels of semaglutide steady in your body and can lead to more effective and consistent results.

Underlying health conditions

While not as common, an underlying health condition could be making it harder to lose weight or cause weight gain. If you notice new symptoms or have an existing health condition and find you’re not losing weight on Wegovy, it’s important to mention this to your doctor. This could be due to the health condition or a certain medication you’re taking, and it may mean you need to wait a little longer to see results.

Wegovy first month side effects

Wegovy side effects are common, especially in your first few months of taking the medication, so you’ll likely experience some during your first month. Most side effects are mild and go away as your body gets used to the treatment, so you should stick to your medication schedule if it’s manageable.

The most common side effects during your first month of treatment are usually:

  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • heartburn
  • fatigue
  • bloating
  • gas

If you find you’re getting certain side effects, you can manage them at home with changes to your lifestyle and diet and over-the-counter medications.

Headaches

Drink more water and try to make sure you’re always hydrated. You can also take over-the-counter treatments like paracetamol to help relieve these.

Nausea

Check you’re eating enough. Nausea can sometimes be caused by not eating enough food, which can happen as your appetite changes. You may also get nausea as a side effect of indigestion/heartburn so medicine containing bismuth subsalicylate might help.

Heartburn and gas

This common side effect can be effectively managed with over-the-counter antacids like Gaviscon. To avoid these side effects as much as possible, you should also try to reduce the amount of acidic, greasy, spicy and fried foods you eat.

IMPORTANT: Listen to your body. While most side effects can be managed at home and should go away on their own, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you’re struggling. You must speak with your doctor or call 999 if you notice any serious side effects or signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as:

  • swelling of lips, tongue or throat
  • trouble breathing
  • trouble swallowing or talking
  • dizziness or feeling faint
  • peeling skin or blisters (with or without fever)
  • wheezing or chest tightness
  • severe rash or hives
  • severe itching

Wegovy results vs other weight loss medications

Most weight loss medications have slightly different results over the first month, but it’s common not to see too much weight loss. This is because most weight loss treatments are designed to be taken over a long period for gradual, sustainable weight loss.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is a similar medication to Wegovy that is also injected once a week and works in the same way to reduce appetite and make it easier to eat less. Studies have shown that patients on Mounjaro can lose up to 4% of their starting weight within their first month of treatment. This is the most weight loss shown in the first month compared to other weight loss treatments.

Saxenda

Saxenda is a daily injection that works similarly to Wegovy and Mounjaro; however, results seem to be lower than the weekly weight loss injections. Clinical trials have shown that people, on average, lose 2% to 3% of their body weight in the first 4 weeks of taking Saxenda.

Orlistat

Orlistat tablets change how your body absorbs fat, removing more of it as stool waste. While taking orlistat, it’s unlikely to lose much weight in your first month and there isn’t much data on this, but 37% of people lose up to 5% of their body weight within 3 months. These results are the same for Xenical, a branded version of orlistat at the same dose.

alli, the over-the-counter version of orlistat at a lower dose of 60mg may provide lower results as it only contains half as much active ingredient as orlistat and Xenical tablets. alli is effective if you want to lose weight and can’t take other weight loss medications that are of a higher dosage.

Mysimba

Mysimba tablets affect the parts of your brain that control appetite, helping you lose weight. After 16 weeks on Mysimba, 50.8% of trial participants had lost at least 5% of their starting weight, with the average weight loss being 8.1% after 56 weeks of treatment.

Wegovy results after the first month

After your first month on Wegovy, you’ll increase your dose and continue doing so until you reach a maintenance dose. During this time, you should notice more significant weight loss results and changes in your body. Following the standard Wegovy dosage schedule and increasing your dose every 4 weeks up to the 2.4mg maximum maintenance dose, studies show you can lose:

Month 2

Expect to lose around 4% of your body weight

Month 3

Expect to lose around 6% of your body weight

Month 4

Expect to lose around 8% of your body weight

Month 5

Expect to lose around 10% of your body weight

Month 6 onwards

Expect gradual weight loss, up to an average of 15% of your body weight by week 68 (about 15 months).

The monthly results with Wegovy vs a placebo

Source: Wegovy, emc

Everyone achieves different results. These are only estimates, and some people will lose more or less weight than this. What’s important is that you’re achieving weight loss at a safe and sustainable pace that works for you. Weight loss with Wegovy is a long-term process and Wegovy is a safe long-term medication according to studies.

Of course, some long-term side effects can occur from using Wegovy, but these are rare. The benefits of weight loss in the long term massively outweigh these risks, making Wegovy generally safe for long-term use.

It can take more than a month to lose weight with Wegovy, and to see significant results it takes over a year. If you’re not seeing weight loss within a few months, read our guide ‘why am I not losing weight on Wegovy’ to see if you can change anything to improve your results. If you’re following a healthy diet and exercise plan well and still not seeing results, speak with your doctor.

brenda-ikeji.png
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Brenda Ikeji Medical Editor

Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.

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Last reviewed: 16 Oct 2024





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