Some people using Wegovy, a weekly injection for weight loss, will lose up to 15% of their starting weight. And new research looking at a higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy saw participants lose an average of 20.7% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
If that’s made you curious about trying it - we hear you. It’s a serious result.
But those numbers are just part of a bigger picture. Wegovy is meant to be taken alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. It’s definitely not a shortcut to reaching your goals.
Okay, so what might that journey look like? Well, everyone’s different, so we can’t say for sure how Wegovy will affect you personally. But we can take a look at scientific research on how Wegovy is used for weight loss to get a rough idea of what you can expect. And we’ve laid it all out for you below.
What should you expect in the first week of Wegovy?
So you’ve taken the leap and are starting on Wegovy. You might be feeling both nervous and excited for what’s to come—we know that trying a new medication isn’t a decision taken lightly. But you’re doing it; you’re making moves towards your health goals! And we’re right here with you.
Your very first week on Wegovy is really about kicking off your new routine rather than seeing results straight away. You’ll usually start on the lowest dose, unless you’re switching from another weight loss medication like Mounjaro, so that your body can get used to the medicine. This will help minimise side effects and enable you to handle stronger doses later on.
Wegovy is a weekly injection, so now’s the time to choose the day you’ll take it. It doesn’t matter which day you pick nor the time of day you do the injection.
Side effects in the first week
Side effects are pretty common with Wegovy, but most of the time, they’re mild and clear up on their own. Up to one in ten people might experience symptoms like nausea, being sick, diarrhoea, and constipation. These can usually be managed with nutrition or over-the-counter medications. If you experience side effects, reach out to your clinical team for tailored advice.
How long do the side effects usually last?
For most people, side effects are most noticeable in the first few days after injection and typically subside within 3 to 5 days. As your body becomes accustomed to the medication, these effects often diminish in intensity. However, some individuals may experience mild side effects throughout their treatment, particularly when dosages increase.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our full guide to Wegovy side effects.
Is it normal not to experience side effects in the first week?
Absolutely. While side effects are common, not everyone experiences them. The absence of side effects doesn't mean the medication isn't working. It just indicates your body is tolerating Wegovy well. Each person's response is unique, and the lack of side effects should be considered a good thing rather than something to worry about.
Weight Loss Expectations
How soon should you expect to see weight loss results? Most people don't experience significant weight loss during the first week on Wegovy.
The initial 0.25mg dose is primarily intended to help your body adjust to the medication rather than produce immediate weight loss. Some individuals might notice slight changes in appetite, food noise or feeling fuller sooner when eating, but noticeable and measurable weight loss typically begins after 2-4 weeks of treatment.
How long do I stay on the 0.25mg dose?
After four weeks, provided you’re tolerating the medicine okay, you’ll be moved up to a stronger dose. And it will be dialled up every four weeks after that until you reach your stable dose (or your maximum tolerated dose).
Wegovy week 2: What to expect
It’s still super early days and most people won’t have noticed any changes just yet. But that’s totally normal—it doesn’t mean that Wegovy isn’t working. Everyone’s different though. Some people do experience strong appetite suppression from the very first dose.
Can I increase my physical activity in Week 2?
Yes—if you’re feeling well, you can gradually increase your activity levels. The aim of your first month is to let your body adjust to the medicine. But it’s also about getting used to your new routine. That means eating a healthy diet and moving your body with an activity of moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes per week (plus two strength training sessions a week), to the point where you’re breathing a little harder and feel warmer.
Heads up: if you’re experiencing nausea or vomiting, it can help to eat smaller meals. Don’t forget to stay hydrated, either—around 6-8 glasses of water per day keeps your body working at its best but might also help you feel full.
What should I do if I forget my Wegovy injection during week 2?
If you miss your week 2 dose (or any of your weekly doses), take it as soon as you remember within five days. If more than five days have passed, skip it and take your next injection on your usual day. Never take a double dose. If you’ve miss more than one dose, let your clinician know.
Wegovy: week 3-4
Now’s the time when you might start to see some changes—but again, don’t stress if that’s not the case. By week four, the average loss is just over 2% body weight.
You might also notice that you feel fuller for longer after a meal, your cravings might be less and you might be thinking about food less than you used to. And as your new lifestyle habits become more familiar, this is a great time to double down and stick with them. The more consistent you are, the sooner these changes will feel like second nature.
Wegovy: week 5-6
That’s your first month on Wegovy, done and dusted! We’re so happy for you—there’s still a way to go, but you’re moving closer to your goals every day.
Your dose will now go up to 0.5mg if you get the green light from your clinician. And as we explained before, it’ll keep increasing every four weeks from here unless you get any difficult side effects or too much appetite suppression.
Per scientific research, most people will have lost about 3% of their body weight at this point.
Wegovy week: 7-8
Hopefully, you’ve now settled nicely into your new routine. At the eight-week mark, the average weight loss is around 4%, though this can vary from person to person.
But we also want to remind you that your journey is about more than the numbers on the scale. It’s about how you feel, your energy levels and your eating habits. Some people say that Wegovy quietens their “food noise”, which is persistent or obsessive thoughts about food (like constantly checking meal delivery apps). So, you might notice that your cravings have dampened, too.
Losing around 5% of your weight is considered the point where you start to see health benefits, like improved blood pressure and cholesterol. Perhaps you feel like you have more energy or are sleeping better.
Wegovy week: 9-12
Your prescriber might decide to up your dose to 1mg. And you’ll probably clock that you’re losing more—by week 12, most people will have lost roughly 6% of their starting weight.
If your numbers look different to that, don’t panic. Results from scientific studies show the average loss across big groups of people, which means that some lost more while others lost less. You’re going at your own pace, and you’ll reach your goals when you reach them.
Research suggests that habits are more likely to become part of your regular routine if you stick with them for at least 12 weeks. So, keep up your new lifestyle—we know you can do it.
Wegovy: week 13 and beyond
Here we are: you’ve made it to the next phase in your weight loss journey. And it’s all about making gradual, consistent progress.
If you’ve been tolerating Wegovy just fine, your dose might be upped to 1.7mg at week 13 and again to 2.4mg from week 17. It’s totally fine to stay on a lower dose if you need to: Wegovy will still work and you’ll still see results.
When does Wegovy weight loss slow down?
You’ll probably lose weight at a faster rate during your first 4-5 months using Wegovy. After that, clinical research shows that loss might plateau about week 60.
It’s normal for results to level out eventually, so please don’t be discouraged if you notice you’re losing less each month. Chat to your clinical team if this is concern. Sticking with your new lifestyle habits will help you keep the weight you’ve lost off for good.
If considering discontinuation, understand what happens when you stop Wegovy to plan your long-term strategy.
Wegovy: 7.2 mg
The higher Wegovy 7.2mg dose we mentioned earlier is generating serious interest, following promising results in clinical trials
Two new studies, STEP UP and STEP UP T2D, looked at the 7.2mg dose in people with obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes.
- Average total weight loss: up to 20.7% of body weight
- Around one-third of users lost 25% or more of their starting weight
- Data also showed that semaglutide 7.2mg was well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with the 2.4mg dose and earlier semaglutide trials from Novo Nordisk
This places Wegovy 7.2mg in the same league as Mounjaro 15mg in terms of outcomes.
For comparison:
The new 7.2mg dose of Wegovy hasn’t launched yet but it’s on the way and is expected to be available on Voy later this year. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s here.
Your Wegovy journey
Hopefully, you’ve now got an idea of what it’s like to take Wegovy. And if you take away just one thing from this article, let it be this: consistency is key.
You need to keep showing up for yourself, again and again, to get the results you’re looking for. Wegovy can be a great help, but it’s you who ultimately needs to make changes and drive your weight loss journey forward. We know you can do it!
And we’re here to help. Through our weight loss programme, you can get weekly medication plus personalised support from our team of coaches—and an app to keep tabs on your progress. Find out if you’re eligible by filling out this short form, it’ll take no more than a few minutes.
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