How quickly does Wegovy work?

Weight loss is the ultimate goal for a lot of people. With weight loss injections like Wegovy helping you get a step closer to your goals, we know the first question that comes to mind is: How soon does Wegovy work?

You should start to notice changes in your appetite within the first four weeks of starting Wegovy.

In addition, you may experience some side effects in the first weeks, like nausea, constipation or diarrhoea. But, for most people, these go away naturally on their own.

Initially, you will lose a little bit of weight. This is because you will start with the lowest dose, which will help your body adjust to the medicine. But it’s normal not to see significant weight loss this early on.

Here’s a week-by-week timeline for what happens once you start Wegovy.

As Wegovy is designed to work gradually, you should expect to see some weight loss results after 2 months on Wegovy.

Do not let that demotivate you, though. By month 5, you should start to see significant results. The key is being persistent and consistent.

Read the full timeline to see how much weight you’ll lose on Wegovy over time*, and how it will benefit you.

Most patients begin to see noticeable weight loss within the first 2 months of starting Wegovy, but the most significant and sustained results typically occur over 3 to 6 months.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

*The following timeline is based on a 68-week clinical trial published in 2021 and a systematic review published in 2024.

Month 1: Initial response phase

• Start on the lowest dose of 0.25 mg
• Appetite starts to decrease
• Experience some side effects

Month 2: Early progress

• Increase your dose from 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg
• Subtle weight loss: around 2-4%
• Side effects and appetite stabilise as your body gets used to the medicine

Don’t give up!

It can be frustrating not to feel major results yet. But keep going! You will start to see results in the coming months.

Month 3: Visible changes begin

• Increase your dose from 0.5 mg to 0.75 mg
• More noticeable weight loss: up to 6%
• You might notice visible changes as well, such as in your waist measurements or how your clothes fit

Month 4: Building momentum

• Increase your dose from 0.75 mg to 1 mg
• Expected weight loss: up to 8%
• You may notice that everyday tasks are easier, you feel good, and your overall well-being has improved

Month 5: Significant results

• You increase your dose from 1 mg to 1.7 mg
• Significant weight loss: 10%

Month 6 and onwards: Consistency pays off

• You increase your dose from 1.7 mg to 2.4 mg (the max dose)
• Expected weight loss after 15 months of 15-20%
• You should start to feel the long-term benefits of weight loss. Your clothes feel a bit loose and you’re moving more as you start to become the best version of you.

How quickly Wegovy works depends on several factors, which means your experience on Wegovy may look completely different to someone else’s.

1. Starting weight & BMI

Your starting weight and BMI will affect how quickly Wegovy works. If you have a higher starting weight, you are more likely to experience faster weight loss.

This is because you will be in a greater calorie deficit, which means you may lose more weight quicker than others.

2. Lifestyle factors

You need to adapt your lifestyle whilst on Wegovy. What you eat and how much exercise you do will also affect how quickly Wegovy works.

How lifestyle factors affect the effectiveness of Wegovy

Eating habits

• Eating a high amount of calories and unhealthy foods will slow down weight loss.
• You should reduce the amount of calories you consume so you are in a calorie deficit.
• Choose nutritious foods like lean proteins, whole grains, fruit and vegetables to help keep you full.

Exercise

• Exercises like walking, running, lifting weights or even doing household chores will help burn calories.
• The more you exercise, the more weight you lose on Wegovy.
• Exercise also helps to build muscle mass, which helps with calorie-burning and therefore weight loss.

3. Individual response

Some factors that affect weight loss progress are completely out of your hands, and can vary from person to person. They can make it easier or harder to lose weight.

• Metabolic rate - Everyone has a different metabolism, which dictates how many calories you naturally burn.
• Genetic factors - Your genes can affect your body composition and your body fat percentage.
• Age - When you get older, you start to naturally lose muscle, which slows down your metabolism and makes it harder to lose weight.
• Gender - Research shows that women tend to experience more weight loss than men.

So, keep these factors in mind during your weight loss journey.

Everyone’s journey on Wegovy will look different. So, some variation in progress is perfectly normal. But there are some things to look out for that might require attention.

Wegovy isn’t a magic solution—it’s a powerful tool. Patients should understand that healthy, sustainable weight loss takes time. Some weeks the scale might not move, and that’s okay. What matters is consistency, not perfection.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Normal timeline variations

There are a few variations that you may experience that you should not worry about.

• Faster or slower progress - Everyone has a different experience with Wegovy due to many different factors. So, it’s okay to feel like your weight loss is slower or quicker than someone else on Wegovy.
• Weight loss plateaus - Plateaus are temporary periods of little or no weight loss. This is natural because your body will adjust to your new weight as you progress.
• Weight fluctuations - It’s normal for your weight to go up and down, even when you are eating well and exercising perfectly. So, do not stress or beat yourself up over minor fluctuations.

When to consult your doctor

There are some signs that you should consult your doctor

• Persistent side effects - If your side effects do not go away after 3-4 weeks of using Wegovy, or they get worse over time, you should consult your doctor. You may need to stay on a lower dose or use an alternative weight loss treatment.
• No difference in appetite - Wegovy is designed to suppress your appetite. So, if you find that you still have intense cravings, you should talk to your doctor.
• No weight loss after 12 weeks - If you have not experienced significant weight loss after 12 weeks of treatment, you need to consult your doctor to figure out if Wegovy is the right treatment for you.

Weight loss with Wegovy takes time, patience, and commitment. Results follow, but like all good things worth the wait, they take some time too.

Wegovy is designed to help you lose weight sustainably and healthily, ensuring you keep the weight off once you have finished treatment.

Findings from clinical studies suggest you should expect to lose 15-20% of your body weight after 15 months of treatment if used correctly. So, patience and perseverance are key to getting amazing results.

But, how quickly Wegovy works will be different for everyone and will depend on a multitude of factors. That’s why you shouldn’t be disheartened if you experience fluctuations or plateaus - it’s all part of the process!

As long as you make healthy choices and improve your lifestyle, you are bound to see results and be on the way to a healthier, happier you.