Week by Week Wegovy Weight Loss Guide

Wegovy is a prescription drug delivered by self-administered injection through the skin, developed to help overweight and obese individuals lose weight. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which aids in appetite suppression. Wegovy is approved and recommended for use in the UK for adults with the following conditions:

• One weight-associated co-morbidity (e.g. hypertension or cardiovascular disease) and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35
• A BMI of 30-34.9 is subject to certain requirements
• A lower BMI threshold is possible for some ethnic minorities

Individuals who have struggled with weight loss for years and have been prescribed Wegovy will naturally be anxious to learn when they will see results.

In this article, we will discuss the anticipated timelines for weight loss with Wegovy injections, focusing on maintaining realistic expectations and understanding that your results may vary from those of others.

Expected Results: Week 1

The first week is important for monitoring side effects and adverse reactions to Wegovy injections which begin at a dosage of 0.25mg for the first four weeks. This week is also important for building your new routine which includes your diet plan. It’s important not to be discouraged if you lose track or feel that you have overeaten.

Lifestyle changes can be challenging to implement. Therefore, it is crucial to speak with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing difficulties introducing an exercise regimen or managing calorie intake.

Expected Results: Week 2

During week two you should continue to monitor side effects and reactions. You may experience a mild or moderate reaction at the injection site, including bruising, itching, and redness. You may notice slight improvements in your weight, especially if you have been sticking to the diet plan.

Wegovy can cause a range of potential side effects. While the more common side effects are milder, others can be severe.

The most common side effects of Wegovy occur in over 1 in 20 individuals and include:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Flatulence
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Vomiting

These side effects can occur immediately upon taking Wegovy with clinical trial data suggesting they peak early on in the treatment and clear up within a few weeks. Other common side effects include dizziness and headache.

Expected Results: Weeks 3-4

These are your final two weeks on the first dosage of Wegovy, and by week four you may notice a significant change in your body weight. On average, people see a 2% drop in body weight at this time (see the graph below).

Expected Results: Weeks 5-8

If you are comfortably managing your current dosage by week 5, your healthcare professional may consider increasing your Wegovy dosage to 0.5mg per week. 

You may notice an increase in the digestive system side effects described above. 

During this phase, you are likely to see steady decreases in your weight of around 1% every two weeks. You may begin to see physical changes too, and your body should be more adapted to your dietary and lifestyle changes.

Expected Results: Weeks 9-12

Month three typically begins with another doubling of the dosage to 1mg per week. You are likely to experience significant weight loss by this time. As the dosages increase you may see more side effects.

Serious side effects of Wegovy are rare but it is important to pay attention to how your body reacts to the new dose.

Serious side effects of Wegovy include:

• Pancreatitis - Severe stomach pain, which may appear from the back or abdomen
• Gallbladder issues - Pain in the abdomen, yellowing of skin or eyes, fever
• Severe allergic reaction - Rash, swelling, rapid heartbeat
• Kidney problems
• Vision issues (for individuals with type II diabetes)
• Increased heart rate
• Depression and suicidal thoughts

Expected Results: Week 13 and Beyond

At this stage, you will be placed on your final (maintenance) dosage of Wegovy. 

Your healthcare professional will determine the final maintenance dose, 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg, depending on side effects and other factors. 

You should continue to see a 1% decrease in body weight every two weeks until around week 68 when a plateau is reached (on average).

What is the Big Picture of Weight Loss While Taking Wegovy?

Weight loss with Wegovy varies from person to person. Therefore, it is important to consider the big picture as well as tracking progress week by week. 

In a clinical trial, when 1,212 people took Wegovy (semaglutide) once a week, on average, they experienced a decrease in body weight of about 2% by the fourth week. 

By week 8, a 4% body weight reduction was observed. This reduction of about 2% every four weeks continued for about 68 weeks. It’s important to remember that these are average results and that yours may vary.

Part “a” of the graph shows the change in body weight (y-axis) over time (x-axis) for individuals who received either Wegovy (semaglutide) (blue line) or placebo (grey line). Part “b” shows the percentage of participants that had a better than 5% improvement with Wegovy (semaglutide) (blue bar) or placebo (grey bar). Data from STEP5 Clinical Trial.

It is important to remember that a decrease in weight is not guaranteed when taking Wegovy and it is recommended alongside a diet plan and adjustment to a healthier lifestyle. In the graph above (part b) we can see that 20% of participants did not see weight loss greater than 5%. Similarly, you may not see significant results until later in the treatment plan. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your progress or Wegovy dosage.

Will Wegovy Affect My Other Medication?

Wegovy is known to interfere with some medications. Therefore, disclosing all of your medications to your healthcare provider before and throughout your treatment with Wegovy is essential.

Insulin

Wegovy can lower blood glucose levels. Using Wegovy with Insulin or other medications that also lower blood glucose can cause hypoglycaemia.

Oral medication

Wegovy slows down gastric emptying, which may affect the absorption of oral medications.

Always consult with your healthcare provider to discuss the potential impact of Wegovy on your current medications.

What if I Gain Weight or Don’t Lose Weight While Taking Wegovy?

If you don’t notice weight loss or even see an increase in weight while taking Wegovy, several factors could be at play.

Firstly, not everyone sees results at the same time. It is vital to remain consistent with the treatment plan agreed upon with your healthcare professional and continue to monitor your weight diligently.

Wegovy is recommended for use in addition to reduced calorie intake and increased exercise. Keeping track of calories can be challenging, and accidentally overeating can diminish weight loss without us noticing.

Meeting with your healthcare professional to evaluate your lifestyle changes can help you address the root cause of weight loss issues while taking Wegovy. They may change your dosage or discontinue treatment if they deem it ineffective.

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Conclusion

Wegovy has proved an effective addition to weight loss regimens for overweight and obese individuals. 

Clinical trial data show detectable reductions in weight loss after four weeks. However, individual results may vary depending on several factors, including adherence to a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. 

Though challenging, it is important not to get discouraged if the treatment does not work immediately. As stated at the outset, weight loss requires sustained effort over a long period, and Wegovy takes time to build to an effective dose.

Authored & Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 31/05/2024 Reviewed on: 31/05/2024