Weight loss results on Wegovy: what to expect
Wegovy is an effective weight loss medication. If you’re eligible for a weight management service like Oviva, you can access Wegovy via an NHS prescription.
Before taking the medication, you’ll want to know how effective it is through real-life Wegovy results and studies. In this article, we’ll share Wegovy before and after figures and more so you have a better idea of what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Wegovy is a weight loss medication that belongs to a category called GLP-1 agonists.
- Once-weekly Wegovy injections, combined with lifestyle interventions based on diet and exercise, lead to an average loss of 16% of total body weight over 68 weeks.
- On average, patients can expect weight loss of around 2% to 4% of total body weight in the first four weeks of treatment.
- If you’re eligible for the service, Oviva can help you access a prescription for Wegovy via the NHS and a full team of experts to support your weight loss efforts.
How much weight do people lose on Wegovy?
Wegovy is a weight loss medication with the active ingredient semaglutide.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Wegovy results (when paired with lifestyle interventions) far exceed those achieved by groups using diet and exercise alone.
A 2021 study split participants into two groups and compared their weight loss results after 68 weeks. The first group received a once-weekly 2.4 mg Wegovy injection, while the control group did not receive the injection.
Both groups were given a reduced calorie diet, exercise guidance and behavioural therapy. Participants either had a BMI over 27 with a relevant comorbidity or a BMI over 30.
See a complete breakdown of the weight loss results below:
| Wegovy + Diet and Exercise | Diet and Exercise Alone | |
| Avg. Weight Loss | 16% of total body weight | 5.7% of total body weight |
| Avg. Change in Waist Circumference | -14.6 cm | -6.3 cm |
| % Lost >5% Body Weight | 86.6% | 47.6% |
| % Lost >10% Body Weight | 75.3% | 27% |
For those receiving Wegovy, the average weight loss after 68 weeks was 16% of total body weight, compared with 5.7% in the control group.
In the group receiving the medication, 86.6% lost at least 5% of their body weight over 68 weeks, whereas less than half (47.6%) of the control group achieved the same.
75.3% of those receiving the weight loss injections achieved a total body weight loss of more than 10%, compared with 27% who achieved the same in the control group.
Wegovy results in the first month
Learn about a typical Wegovy experience during the first month of treatment. This includes information about dosing, side effects, and Wegovy’s first-month results for weight loss and appetite suppression.
Dosing
When you begin treatment with Wegovy, you’ll start on a low dosage of 0.25 mg/week. This dosage will remain the same for four weeks, so your first month on Wegovy will be on a much lower dosage than the maintenance dose, which is 2.4 mg/week.
Typically, you’ll gradually increase your Wegovy dosage over 16 weeks. However, your dosing schedule may be altered depending on your experiences, so listen to what healthcare professionals recommend. At Oviva, you’ll receive support from an experienced clinician.
Effects
During your first month of treatment with Wegovy, you’re likely to start feeling the effects of the medication, which will primarily manifest as feeling fuller than usual.
GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone naturally released by the body after food consumption. The hormone stimulates insulin release and suppresses appetite. As a result, you’ll usually eat less. Combined with other lifestyle changes, this promotes weight loss.
Week 1
You’ll be taking the medication for the first time and getting used to the new addition to your routine.
Wegovy is taken as a self-injectable pen, and you take the medication once a week, on the same day. You can inject into the same area of the body, but you should choose a different specific injection site.
During this first week on Wegovy, you may lose a small amount of weight and start to experience side effects. The most common side effects of Wegovy are nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhoea.
Week 2
In the second week, you’ll begin by taking the medication on the same day you took the first dose. At this time, the appetite suppression effects may become more noticeable.
Weight loss will still be relatively minor. Physically, you’re unlikely to notice significant changes.
Week 3
By the third week, your body should start adjusting to the Wegovy medication.
This could mean side effects start to ease or the feelings of fullness last longer. Do not panic if neither applies, however, as everyone is different. You can speak to your healthcare specialist if you’re concerned.
Week 4
By week four, weight loss may become more noticeable. Some people experience a further decrease in the severity of any side effects. However, it’s not uncommon for side effects to continue. Assuming they’re still mild, continue taking the medication.
At the end of the fourth week, assuming you’ve had a positive experience and have no medical concerns, you should be ready to take the next step. From the first day of week 5, you’ll increase your dose from 0.25 mg/week to 0.5 mg/week.
Wegovy first month results: before and after
The STEP 1 clinical trial (Wilding et al.) found that the average weight loss after 4 weeks of treatment using Wegovy was between 2% and 3% of total body weight.
Some people lose up to 5% of their body weight in the first month of treatment. The precise amount of weight you lose will depend on various factors, but it’s not uncommon to lose between 5 and 8 lbs or even more by the end of the first month.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that these early weight loss outcomes can vary significantly from person to person. The amount of weight you lose may also depend on the changes you make to your nutrition and activity levels.
It’s also worth highlighting that these initial results are achieved on the lowest dosage. As your treatment with Wegovy continues over the following weeks and months, your dosage will increase, and you can expect the effects on appetite suppression to increase, too.
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Lifestyle considerations for the best results
You’ll need to make broader lifestyle changes to achieve the best Wegovy results, like manageable changes to what you eat and amount of physical activity you get.
Focus on nutrient-rich foods like lean proteins and foods packed with fibre. Consider taking short walks or doing basic strength training, depending on your circumstances. If you find physical exercise challenging, start by reducing the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day.
Physical exercise helps to burn calories and build muscle. Regular exercise supports the metabolism and preserves lean muscle mass as you lose fat. This can all contribute to a healthier body composition.
If you’re eligible for Oviva’s weight management programme, we can help you make changes to nutrition and physical activity and we’ll work with you to identify the best diet for weight loss for your specific needs. We may also prescribe Wegovy injections.
Accessing Wegovy with Oviva
Accessing weight loss injections on the NHS currently requires a referral from your doctor to an NHS-funded weight management service.
If you have a BMI over 30 and at least one relevant comorbidity, you could be eligible for referral to Oviva’s weight management service, where you may receive Wegovy.
A lower BMI of 27.5 is used as the threshold for people from certain ethnic minority family backgrounds, as research indicates equivalent health risks at a lower BMI.
Wegovy is only prescribed via the NHS to those eligible for a weight loss service, like Oviva. You’ll also learn to make sensible lifestyle changes that promote weight loss.
Monitor your goals
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Browse learning resources
Written by Oviva’s team of experts, explore advice on nutrition, exercise, and motivation to guide you through the programme and maximise long term weight maintenance.
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