Wegovy is one of the most effective weight loss medications available, with people losing up to 17.5% of their starting weight on the 2.4mg dose. And there's now an even higher dose available: Wegovy 7.2mg has been approved by the MHRA and is available in the UK, with clinical trials showing an average weight loss of 20.7% over 72 weeks.
Those are serious results. But Wegovy isn't a quick fix or a shortcut. It works best when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Think of it as a powerful tool that helps you make lasting lifestyle changes.
So what does that journey actually look like? While everyone's experience is different, we can look at clinical trial data to give you a realistic picture of what to expect. Here's your week-by-week guide.
Quick Reference: Wegovy Weight Loss Timeline
Everyone's weight loss journey is different. These percentages show averages from clinical trials. Your results will depend on factors like your diet, exercise routine, other medications you're taking, and how your body responds to treatment.
What to expect in the first week of Wegovy
Starting Wegovy is a big step towards your health goals. You might feel nervous, excited, or both. That's completely normal when trying a new medication, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Choosing your injection day: Wegovy is a once-weekly injection, so now's the time to pick your injection day. It doesn't matter which day you choose or what time you do it, just pick something that fits your schedule and stick with it.
Your first week is really about establishing your routine rather than seeing dramatic results straight away. You'll typically start on the lowest dose (0.25mg) so your body can adjust gradually. This helps minimise side effects and prepares you for stronger doses later on.
Switching from another medication? If you're moving to Wegovy from another weight loss medication like Mounjaro, your clinician may recommend starting at a higher dose rather than 0.25mg. This approach helps you maintain your progress and avoid losing ground while transitioning between treatments. Your prescriber will assess your current dose and tolerance to determine the best starting point for you.
Side effects in the first week
Side effects are common with Wegovy, but they're usually mild and go away on their own. Up to one in ten people experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These can typically be managed with dietary changes or over-the-counter medications. If you experience side effects, reach out to your clinical team for personalised advice.
How long do the side effects usually last?
For most people, side effects are strongest in the first few days after each injection and typically ease up within 7 days. As your body gets used to the medication, these effects often become less intense. However, some people experience mild side effects throughout treatment, particularly when doses increase.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our full guide to Wegovy side effects.
Is it normal not to have side effects in week 1?
Absolutely. While side effects are common, not everyone gets them. No side effects doesn't mean the medication isn't working. It just means your body is tolerating Wegovy well. Everyone responds differently, and feeling fine is a good thing, not something to worry about.
Weight Loss in Week 1
Most people don't see significant weight loss during the first week on Wegovy. The initial 0.25mg dose is designed to help your body adjust to the medication rather than produce immediate results.
Some people notice slight changes in appetite or "food noise" (those constant thoughts about food), or feel fuller sooner when eating. But measurable weight loss typically begins after 2-4 weeks of treatment.
How long do I stay on the 0.25mg dose?
After four weeks, as long as you're tolerating the medicine well, you'll move up to a stronger dose. Your dose will increase every four weeks after that until you reach your stable dose (or your maximum tolerated dose).
Wegovy week 2: Building your routine
It's still early days and most people haven't noticed major changes yet. That's completely normal and it doesn't mean Wegovy isn't working. Everyone's different though. Some people experience strong appetite suppression from the very first dose.
Can I Exercise in Week 2?
Yes, if you're feeling well, you can gradually increase your activity levels. Your first month is about letting your body adjust to the medicine while establishing your new routine. That means eating a healthy diet and moving your body.
Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity (where you're breathing a bit harder and feeling warmer), plus two strength training sessions per week.
Staying comfortable: If you're experiencing nausea or vomiting, try eating smaller meals. Stay hydrated too. Around 6-8 glasses of water per day keeps your body working at its best and might help you feel fuller.
What if I forget my injection?
If you miss your week 2 dose (or any weekly dose), 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 double dose. If you've missed more than one dose, let your clinician know.
Wegovy weeks 3-4: First changes
Now's when you might start seeing some changes, but don't stress if that's not the case yet. By week four, the average weight loss is just over 2% of body weight.
You might notice that you feel fuller for longer after meals. Your cravings might be less intense. You might think about food less than you used to. And as your new lifestyle habits become more familiar, this is a great time to stick with them. The more consistent you are, the sooner these changes will feel like second nature.
Wegovy weeks 5-8: Building momentum
Congratulations on completing your first month on Wegovy! There's still a way to go, but you're moving closer to your goals every day.
Your dose will now increase to 0.5mg if your clinician gives you the green light. It'll keep increasing every four weeks from here unless you experience difficult side effects or too much appetite suppression.
According to clinical research, most people will have lost about 3% of their body weight at the 6-week mark. By week 8, average weight loss is around 4%, though this varies from person to person.
Wegovy weeks 9-12: Seeing real results
Your prescriber might increase your dose to 1mg now. You'll probably notice you're losing more weight. By week 12, most people will have lost roughly 6% of their starting weight.
If your numbers look different, don't panic. Clinical trial results show the average across large groups of people, which means 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 habits are more likely to stick if you maintain them for at least 12 weeks. So keep up your new lifestyle. We know you can do it.
Wegovy week 13 and beyond: The long game
You've made it to the next phase of your weight loss journey. It's all about making gradual, consistent progress from here.
If you've been tolerating Wegovy well, your dose might increase to 1.7mg at week 13 and again to 2.4mg from week 17. From week 21 onwards, if you've plateaued on 2.4mg and are tolerating the medication well, your clinician may recommend increasing to 7.2mg for enhanced weight loss.
Not everyone needs to increase to the highest dose. If you're experiencing good appetite suppression and seeing solid results on a lower dose, you can stay there. There's no need to go higher if what you're doing is already working well for you.
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, the rate of weight loss typically slows down, but you'll continue making progress. Clinical research shows people continue losing weight all the way through to week 72 and beyond.
It's normal for the pace to slow as you get closer to your goal weight. Some people may experience a weight loss plateau where progress stalls for a period. Don't be discouraged if you're losing less each month than you did at the start. That's how weight loss works.
If you hit a plateau, chat with your clinical team. Small tweaks to your daily steps, exercise routine, diet, or dose can help you break through it.
If considering discontinuation, understand what happens when you stop Wegovy to plan your long-term strategy.
Your Wegovy journey: The key takeaway
If you take away just one thing from this guide, 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 is a powerful tool, but you're the one who ultimately drives your weight loss journey forward. We know you can do it.
Get Better Results with Support
Research found that people taking GLP-1 medications lost up to 53% more weight by month four when they used Voy's science-backed programme, compared to using the medication alone.
Through our weight loss programme, you get:
- Weekly medication delivered to your door
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- An app to track your progress
- Expert content, nutrition advice, and tips
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