Wegovy results: First month and beyond

In this article:

• Real-world results and success stories of Wegovy users
• How quickly does Wegovy work?
• Wegovy vs. other weight loss drugs
• Factors that can influence weight loss on Wegovy
• How to maximize weight loss on Wegovy
• The bottom line

In this article

• Real-world results and success stories of Wegovy users
• How quickly does Wegovy work?
• Wegovy vs. other weight loss drugs
• Factors that can influence weight loss on Wegovy
• How to maximize weight loss on Wegovy
• The bottom line

It can be hard to lose weight and keep it off. It’s an issue for many people, too, with recent obesity statistics indicating that 4 out of every 10 adults in the United States has obesity. 

One particularly effective option for weight loss is a medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk called Wegovy (semaglutide), a once-weekly injectable prescription approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with obesity or who are overweight with one or more weight-related medical conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to reduce cardiovascular events in adults with heart disease and who either have obesity or are overweight. 

Wegovy belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It acts like the GLP-1 hormone released in the digestive tract in response to eating, which prompts the pancreas to release more insulin. As a result, it helps lower the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. It also helps slow down the process of digestion and makes people feel fuller sooner.

While you may have heard of many Wegovy success stories, results may vary. We’ll share some real-world Wegovy results and give you an idea of what you can expect in the first month and beyond. 

RELATED: How much does Wegovy cost?

Real-world results and success stories of Wegovy users

“The weight loss landscape has really changed with the advent of medications like Wegovy,” says gastroenterologist and obesity medicine specialist Michelle Pearlman, MD. In the past, patients approached her to ask for guidance on weight loss.

“A majority of my patients come to me seeking advice specifically on whether or not they are candidates for GLP-1 medications and to help manage the medication and dietary plan to ensure long-term success,” Dr. Pearlman says.

However, Wegovy isn’t for everyone. Wegovy, like other drugs in its class, should not be used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Case studies of weight loss achieved with Wegovy

In the past, experts considered achieving a 5% weight loss when taking an approved anti-obesity medication to be a clinically meaningful response, as the New England Journal of Medicine notes. Yet in the journal’s double-blind clinical trial of people who took semaglutide over 68 weeks, 69% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight, and 50.5% lost at least 15% by the 68-week mark. 

Rekha Kumar, MD, an endocrinologist, obesity medicine specialist, and chief medical officer at Found, cautions that people should understand that different people can have different results from Wegovy, based on a number of factors, including their age, sex, menopausal status, and others. “Although clinical trial results show 15% loss of total body weight at the one-year mark, real-world experience is more variable,” Dr. Kumar says. While Wegovy is touted as a miracle drug for many, the Wegovy success rate may vary. 

Research from 2023 suggests that, while bariatric surgery may still be more effective in helping people lose the most weight, semaglutide injections are a very effective alternative. Plus, they are less invasive and carry fewer risks of complications than surgery. 

Wegovy user reviews and testimonials

Shannarose Guma, MD, a primary care physician with Mercy Personal Physicians at Ellicott City in Maryland, reports that her patients have been very pleased with their Wegovy experience. Some have lost more weight than others, but no one seems unhappy with their results. 

“Not only did they lose weight, they just felt better overall,” Dr. Guma says, explaining that some patients have told her that their joints hurt less and they have more energy as the weight has come off. Their risk of heart attack and stroke also declines with weight loss. 

Some patients taking Wegovy also experience some benefits beyond weight loss. For example, they find that they have more mental energy to devote to other aspects of their life besides food. “People talk about getting rid of the ‘food noise,’” says Kathleen Jordan, MD, a menopause-trained internal medicine physician and chief medical officer of Midi Health. “You’re not thinking about food, eating, and dieting all the time.”

How quickly does Wegovy work?

You may wonder: What are the Wegovy first-month results? What about Wegovy’s three-month results or results after six months on Wegovy? 

Since the starting dose of Wegovy is 0.25 milligrams (mg) per week for everyone, first-month results can vary. “At lower doses, patients may get results in a month or two, but they are not optimal,” says Sue Decotiis, MD, a triple board-certified medical weight loss doctor in New York City. 

After the first four weeks, the dosage is gradually increased until it reaches the maintenance level, which is either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg per week. Dr. Guma says her patients do start losing weight on the 0.25 mg starting dose, but the weight loss is more likely with the second dose, which is 0.5 mg weekly. 

A retrospective study published in 2022 in JAMA Network Open found that participants who started taking semaglutide for obesity had an overall total body weight loss of 5.9% at the three-month mark, and that percentage increased to 10.9% by six months. The researchers noted that the people who received a higher dose of semaglutide (1.7 or 2.4 mg) in their weekly subcutaneous injection tended to lose more weight than the people who were on a lower dose (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg). 

“The most noticeable weight loss usually happens in the first few months, with things starting to level off around the eight-month mark,” Dr. Pearlman says. “The key to getting those results is to kick off the dietary and exercise routine right when you start the medication.”

Wegovy vs. other weight loss drugs

In 2021, Wegovy joined four other FDA-approved long-term weight loss medications: Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), Xenical (orlistat), Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion), and Saxenda (liraglutide).

Wegovy is associated with more weight loss than some other drugs, although a study that concluded in 2024 found that Zepbound (tirzepatide) was more effective than Wegovy. In a clinical trial called the SURMOUNT-5 trial, people who took Zepbound for 72 weeks lost 20.2% of their body weight, compared to 13.7% in those who took Wegovy. The active ingredient in Zepbound, tirzepatide, is also the active ingredient in Mounjaro, which is a Type 2 diabetes drug—sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

RELATED: Zepbound vs. Wegovy

A study published in 2023 in the Journal of Investigative Medicine noted that semaglutide was more effective than liraglutide, which is currently marketed for weight loss as Saxenda.

Wegovy is also compared with Ozempic, and although they have the same active ingredient, semaglutide, Wegovy is delivered in slightly higher doses than Ozempic. (Wegovy’s highest doses are 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, while Ozempic’s highest doses are 1 mg and 2 mg.) As such, Wegovy tends to be slightly more effective for weight loss. However, the higher dose may cause more side effects. The most common side effects of weekly semaglutide injections (and other GLP-1 drugs) are gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Less common but serious side effects can include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney disease, gallbladder problems, severe stomach problems, and others. 

RELATED: Does Wegovy make you tired?

Also, Ozempic is approved for use in adults with Type 2 diabetes, so its primary purpose is to treat diabetes, with the added benefit that it aids with weight loss. Since it contains the same active ingredient, Wegovy could also be used off-label to help someone with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels. 

Wegovy’s approval marked a significant change in the landscape of weight loss drugs, according to Dr. Pearlman. “Not only does it offer more substantial weight loss outcomes—upwards of 15% of total body weight—but it also shows promise in enhancing cardiovascular outcomes, which are crucial for patients with pre-existing heart conditions.”. 

Factors that can influence weight loss on Wegovy

Just taking Wegovy alone can help you lose weight. As Dr. Guma notes, you don’t actually have to do anything in addition to taking the medication to experience some weight loss. But you can influence the outcome—and maximize your Wegovy results—by making healthy choices and lifestyle changes. 

“Taking Wegovy as part of a weight management plan, which includes dietary changes and exercise—specifically resistance training—can lead to some pretty impressive results,” Dr. Pearlman says, adding that she closely monitors her patient’s progress on a monthly basis.

How to maximize weight loss on Wegovy

People who want to achieve the best results with Wegovy need to also understand that it is a long-term commitment. “It’s not something you take on as sort of a crash, one-off, or two-week diet,” Dr. Jordan says. That means making some lifestyle interventions and having support to make those changes. 

Dr. Guma explains to patients that they’ll lose more weight if they combine their new medication regimen with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise routine. She recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week, which echoes recommendations from the American Heart Association. She also says a key component of that exercise routine should be strength training because it helps to build and maintain muscle mass. This can include weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises. The specific amount and intensity can be tailored to each individual’s starting point and fitness level. Always check with a healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise program.

“As you lose weight, preserving muscle mass is crucial to avoid frailty and ensure you’re losing fat, not muscle,” Dr. Pearlman says. “This not only helps in maintaining a healthier, more functional body but also in achieving more sustainable weight management outcomes.”

Another essential component is making sure you’re eating enough protein. When people lose weight rapidly, they often tend to lose muscle, and protein can help with that. “Aiming for 60–80 grams per day helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss, boosts metabolism, and enhances satiety, reducing overall calorie intake,” Dr. Pearlman says. Check with your healthcare provider for a protein recommendation, as individual requirements will vary.

Dr. Decotiis also emphasizes the importance of drinking enough water. “If someone is not well hydrated, the body does not burn fat but burns muscle instead,” she says. That can lead to gaining the weight back when they stop taking the drug.”

The bottom line

Clinical trials have shown that Wegovy is an effective weight loss drug, a conclusion backed up by the real-world experiences of many who take it. Not only does it help them lose a significant amount of weight, but it can also free up some of their mental energy to focus on their lives beyond food and weight. While the drug is effective on its own, healthcare experts encourage their patients to eat a healthy diet, including protein, and to include strength training in a regular exercise routine. Wegovy is a long-term medication, and most patients experience weight gain when they stop taking it.