Wegovy is a remarkable weight loss drug, the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA for weight management. Wegovy works by mimicking the action of a specific hormone in your body that makes you feel full, and it also improves glucose metabolism. These combined effects make Wegovy particularly effective for weight loss. In clinical trials, over the course of a few months, participants lost dozens of pounds and as much as 15% of their total body weight!
How Does Wegovy Work for Weight Loss
Wegovy is a medication derived from the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Its approval for weight management came as a result of its demonstrated efficacy in aiding weight loss. Wegovy works by mimicking the actions of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and metabolism.
The primary mode of action of Wegovy includes:
- Appetite Regulation: GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy help reduce appetite by influencing the brain’s hunger centers, leading to feelings of fullness and satisfaction after consuming smaller portions of food.
- Gastric Emptying Delay: Wegovy slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, leading to a longer-lasting feeling of fullness and reduced food consumption.
- Improved Insulin Sensitivity: This medication also enhances insulin sensitivity, which can contribute to better blood sugar control and reduced fat storage.
Since Wegovy belongs to a class of drugs that were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, it can also help with certain metabolic or “weight-related conditions. People on Wegovy have experienced lowered blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower triglycerides, all of which can lower your risk of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Most patients on Wegovy have maintained their weight loss by adopting a healthier diet and less sedentary lifestyle.
How Long Do You Need to Take Wegovy for Weight Loss?
A Wegovy weight loss program is designed to take several months. Over the course of those months, your body adjusts to your increased dosage of Wegovy as you build to your maximum dose. In the first few weeks of Wegovy, you will be on your lowest dose, and weight loss will be minimal; after one month on Wegovy, your dose will increase, and as will your weight loss.
As with any medication or weight loss program, your individual results on Wegovy will vary, but generally speaking, here are the month-by-month weight loss results you can expect on Wegovy.
Month 1-3: During the first few months of using Wegovy, many individuals might experience more noticeable weight loss as their body adjusts to the medication. On average, people might lose around 5-10% of their starting body weight during this period. For example, if someone starts at 200 pounds, they might lose around 10-20 pounds within the first three months.
Month 4-6: Continued weight loss is possible, but the rate might slow down compared to the initial months. During this period, people might lose around 2-5% of their starting body weight. Using the same example, someone who started at 200 pounds might lose an additional 4-10 pounds over the next three months.
Month 7-9: By this point, the weight loss trend might continue, but it’s normal for the rate to slow down even further. Individuals might lose around 1-3% of their starting body weight during these months. Using the example above, someone who started at 200 pounds might lose an additional 2-6 pounds during this period.
Beyond 9 Months: Weight loss progress may continue, but it’s common for the rate of weight loss to plateau. Some individuals might experience fluctuations in weight during this phase. Long-term success often involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
You can maintain your results on Wegovy by getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet that is low in fat and processed foods and high in lean protein and whole grains. Other ways to help maintain or increase your weight loss results on Wegovy include:
- Getting enough sleep.
- If you smoke, quit. If you do not smoke, do not start.
- Reduce or eliminate your consumption of alcohol.
- Stay hydrated and drink enough water.
- Have your hormones checked for any imbalances.
- Take measures to reduce stress.
- Take advantage of counseling and other support offered by Wegovy’s manufacturer.
Dosage for Weight Loss
The maximum effective dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg, administered once a week. The medication comes in a pre-filled pen that you inject under the skin (subcutaneously) of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Your dosage of Wegovy usually starts at .25 mg and will be increased over the course of your program. The typical titration of dosage is as follows:
- First Month: 0.25 mg once weekly (starting dosage)
- Second Month: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Third Month: 1 mg once weekly
- Fourth Month: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Fifth Month: 2.4 mg once weekly (target maximum dosage)
It does not matter what time of day or night you take your once-weekly injection. However, doctors and pharmacists suggest that whatever time you choose, you do your injection at the same time each week. Wegovy can be taken with or without food.
Wegovy pens are premeasured and color-coded with the appropriate dose. The needle is already inside the pen. It is important to keep the pen’s cap on until you are ready to inject it.
It is recommended that you rotate your injection sites each week or so to minimize the chances of inflammation or other injection site reactions.
Pharmacists say that it is you should make sure your pen isn’t damaged or broken. Also, look at the liquid in the pen window; it should be clear and never cloudy. Check the expiration date. If the expiration date has passed or the medicine does not seem perfectly clear, throw away the pen and use a new, unexpired pen instead.
Sterility is also very important to avoid infections and injection site reactions. Make sure your hands are thoroughly cleaned before you take your injection. Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab and allow the area to dry completely before injecting your dose. Avoid touching the area after it has been cleaned.
Wegovy Weight Loss Results Before and After
People have been shedding dozens of pounds on Wegovy. Here are some success stories from actual users that have been in the news and reviews from our Wegovy patients.
78-year-old Pepper S. appeared on the Today show in the spring of 2023. She said she struggled all of her life with weight loss and began using Wegovy in 2022 when her doctor determined she met the prescribing criteria.
After being on Wegovy for around nine months, she has lost over 30 pounds and says the weight loss has now stabilized, and she is maintaining her new weight and body mass.
“I love the fact that my blood pressure is low and my cholesterol is low and all those good things. Those are my motivations now rather than just trying to fit in a size 4 dress” she told Today.
On the same program, Jamel Corona says she turned to Wegovy in 2021 after she couldn’t lose weight on her own despite a healthy lifestyle. She has lost about 60 pounds but described the process as gradual and still requiring food discipline and regular exercise to work.
“I work out five days a week and eat super healthy”
Her weight loss has now stabilized, and based on her last check-up with her doctors in July 2023, she’s doing very well and excited to stay on Wegovy long-term.
These are only a few of the hundreds of “Wegovy success stories” you can find. Here are some recent testimonials from our Wegovy clients.
“I am 35 years old, and I have struggled with obesity for years. I work in an office long hours, which often makes eating right a problem, not to mention office birthday and pizza parties. After starting Wegovy and with the help of my doctor and a lifestyle coach, I lost a whopping 50 pounds in only about 9 months. I look great, I feel great, I am wearing sizes I have not worn in years, I feel good about myself again, and my energy levels are amazing…” Sarah M.
“I’m on the plus side of 45, I’m a dad, and I’m overweight and had several weight-related health issues, including prediabetes and high blood pressure. I’ve been watching my kids grow up and wanted to get healthy for them, to be there for the big life moments to come, but every diet plan I tried, I failed. I heard about Wegovy and found a medical weight loss clinic in my area that prescribes it, and with their help, in only a few months, I’ve already lost 30 pounds, and my blood pressure and cholesterol levels are both much better…” John B.
“I have lost 65 lbs in 10 months using Wegovy. I’m on the highest dose of 2.4. and I have not had any side effects. I was a little nervous about the injections, but it turned out to be quick, easy, and painless. I would and have recommended this medication to my family and friends.” Cynthia G.
“I’ve been on Wegovy for a little over a month now. I’m still on the initial dose of My first.5mg dose. The weight loss has been fairly slow but steady. The main thing that I’ve noticed is that it makes me feel full after I eat, just like my doctor said it would. I never really feel hungry during the day anymore, which is what would make me snack so much between meals. I’ve had some mild side effects like gas and some stomach upset, but nothing I can’t manage, and my doctor said those she ease off in the next few weeks.” Peter C.
“I’m a medical professional, and I have never seen the kind of weight loss in my patients or myself that I am experiencing on Wegovy; I’m on my sixth month of use now on a maintenance dose, and after losing nearly 40 pounds, I’m easily still dropping at least 3 – 5 pounds a week. My energy level is better, and my exercise capacity has increased, which helps burn more calories. Overall, this is the best weight loss program I have ever been on” Michael L.
“I took only my second weekly shot last week, my appetite is definitely less, and I am able to stay on my 1200 calorie lower carb diet without the intense and stressful hunger I felt before using Wegovy. I’d say in the 2 weeks I’ve already lost about 10lbs.” Ruth S.
Take the First Step to Healthy You!
Are you ready to make a positive change and reclaim control over your weight? Take the first step today by contacting us and let our healthcare professionals guide you through the life-changing benefits of a Wegovy weight loss program!