Wegovy Weight Loss Results by Week: What to Expect

Wegovy is one of the most effective injectable weight loss pens currently available in the UK. The active ingredient in Wegovy (semaglutide) mimics the GLP-1 hormone that is naturally produced in the body, increasing feelings of fullness and slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach.

Clinical studies have shown that over 68 weeks, patients can lose up to 17% of their body weight on average while taking the highest 2.4mg weekly dose of Wegovy^[1]. However, individual weight loss results can vary depending on factors such as diet, exercise, and how well the medication is tolerated.

This guide breaks down expected week-by-week weight loss on Wegovy and offers tips to help you achieve the best possible results from your treatment.

Wegovy Weeks 1 to 4

Dose: 0.25mg of semaglutide

Your Wegovy treatment will start with a 0.25mg weekly dose. This initial dose is designed to help your body gradually adjust to Wegovy and is suitable even for first-time users of injectable weight loss pens.

Average weight loss after 4 weeks: Up to 2%

Weight loss results in the first month of Wegovy can vary depending on factors like your eating habits, activity level, and treatment consistency. On average, people lose up to 2% of their body weight after four weeks of treatment^[1].

You are unlikely to see noticeable physical changes after 4 weeks of treatment as there is a limited amount of the active ingredient (semaglutide) in your body. However, it is important to continue taking Wegovy each week as prescribed.

As your dose increases over the following months, the effects of the medication gradually strengthen, helping to curb your appetite more effectively and support more significant weight loss over time.

Wegovy Weeks 5 to 8

Dose: 0.5mg of semaglutide

After 4 weeks of Wegovy, if you tolerate the starting 0.25mg dose well, your dose will increase to 0.5mg. This higher strength dose enhances the medication’s appetite-suppressing effects.

Average weight loss after 8 weeks: Up to 4%

Clinical trials show that patients can lose up to 4% of their starting body weight during this period^[1], although individual results may vary.

Mild digestive side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea may occur as your body adjusts to the increased dose. Staying well hydrated is important, and any concerning side effects should be discussed with your treatment provider.

Recommended reading: Wegovy Side Effects: What You Need To Know

Wegovy Weeks 9 to 12

Dose: 1.0mg of semaglutide

After completing four weeks at 0.5mg, most patients move up to the 1.0mg weekly dose of Wegovy. This step-up is important to sustain and improve your rate of weight loss.

Make sure you follow your treatment provider’s guidance and never change doses without their approval.

Average weight loss after 12 weeks: Up to 6%

By the 12-week mark, you could lose up to 6% of your body weight^[1]. Physical changes often become more noticeable at this stage, such as feeling lighter, seeing a lower number on the scales, or finding that your clothes fit more loosely.

Managing your appetite and diet may also feel easier as the medication becomes more effective. This is because the active ingredient has been building up in your body since the start of treatment.

Wegovy Weeks 13 to 16

Dose: 1.7mg of semaglutide

From week 13, your dose may increase to 1.7mg. This higher dose can further improve appetite control, with many people noticing a greater reduction in hunger and feeling fuller after meals.

Average weight loss after 16 weeks: Up to 8%

Although individual results may vary, many people report faster or more noticeable body weight changes during this phase. You may see a visible reduction in size, or that your clothes fit more loosely as your body weight continues to decrease.

In clinical trials, patients at this stage lost up to 8% of their body weight on average^[1].

Continue to prioritise regular exercise and a balanced diet. As you approach the final maintenance dose, getting the best results will depend on your lifestyle choices.

Wegovy Week 17 and onwards

Dose: 2.4mg of semaglutide (maintenance dose)

At 17 weeks, your dose may increase to the maximum strength of 2.4mg, which will become your ongoing maintenance dose. Continuing treatment at this dose is important for maintaining and building on your weight loss progress.

Possible weight loss after 17 weeks: Up to 17% (over 68 weeks)

Clinical trials have shown that patients taking Wegovy at the 2.4mg dose can lose up to 17% of their body weight over 68 weeks^[1].

Even after reaching the maximum dose, you should maintain the healthy habits you have built during treatment to support long-term progress and improve your chances of reaching your target weight.

Read about doses: Wegovy Dosage Guide: Schedule, Strengths & How It Works

Getting the most from your Wegovy treatment

Keep to the Wegovy dose schedule

Wegovy becomes more effective over time as both the dose strength and the level of semaglutide in your body increase. In the first few weeks, weight changes may be minimal, but this is normal. Staying consistent with your prescribed schedule is essential for achieving the best results.

Wegovy treatment starts at a low dose to help your body adjust and reduce the chance of side effects. The dose is usually increased every 4 weeks until the maintenance dose is reached:

• Weeks 1 to 4: 0.25mg once weekly
• Weeks 5 to 8: 0.5mg once weekly
• Weeks 9 to 12: 1.0mg once weekly
• Weeks 13 to 16: 1.7mg once weekly
• Week 17 and onwards: 2.4mg once weekly (maintenance dose)

Your treatment provider may adjust this schedule depending on how well you tolerate the medicine.

Stick to a consistent routine

Keeping to a regular injection schedule will help you achieve the best weight loss results. You should take Wegovy on the same day each week at a time that suits you, and consider setting reminders to help you stay on track with your dosing schedule.

It is important not to miss doses, as this can reduce the effectiveness of Wegovy and may increase the risk of side effects when restarting treatment.

Make sure you are using the pen correctly

Using your Wegovy pen correctly helps ensure you receive the full dose and reduces the risk of side effects. Always follow the step-by-step instructions in the patient information leaflet before use.

When using a new Wegovy pen for the first time, carry out a flow check to make sure it is working correctly. During each injection, press and hold the dose button for the full time as stated in the instructions so all of the medication is delivered.

Make sure you read through the patient information leaflet carefully so you understand all of the necessary steps.

Refer to our detailed guide for further guidance: How to Take Wegovy® Injections

Adopt healthy lifestyle habits early

A balanced, calorie-controlled diet and regular physical activity are essential for achieving the best results with Wegovy. For long-term success, combine the use of Wegovy with healthy lifestyle habits to make consistent weight loss more likely.

To get the best results, try to:

• eat balanced meals - skipping meals can lead to fatigue, blood sugar fluctuations, and food cravings
• include whole, nutrient-dense foods in your diet - fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats will help you feel full for longer
• stay active with regular daily movement - choose physical activities you enjoy and can do consistently, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, to help maintain a calorie deficit and support sustainable weight loss results

Track your progress

Regularly tracking your weight loss progress can help you stay motivated and consistent with treatment. You could do this by checking your body weight on weighing scales every week and noting down any changes.

You could also take progress photos throughout the course of your treatment. Photos can help you notice changes to your body that are not always reflected by your body weight.

For example, your exercise routine may have helped you gain muscle while losing body fat. Although the scales might not show a drop in body weight, you may notice visible changes in your body composition.

Wegovy Weight Loss Timeline FAQs

At what dose does Wegovy start working?

Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) starts working within hours of your first injection and reaches maximum concentration of the dose within 1 to 3 days of injection^[2].

However, it is unlikely that you will experience any differences in your appetite or physical appearance this early.

You will tend to see noticeable effects around the 1mg dose, which can be reached 9 weeks from the start of treatment if you have been consistent.

Wegovy is intended for long-term use, with the best weight loss results achieved by reaching the maximum 2.4mg dose and taking it consistently as prescribed.

In a clinical trial, patients taking Wegovy at the 2.4mg dose lost up to 17% of their body weight over 68 weeks^[1].

What should I expect in the first week of Wegovy?

Most people do not notice significant changes to their appetite or weight during the first week of taking Wegovy. This is because the concentration of semaglutide in your body is still low after only one injection.

Some people may experience mild digestive side effects such as nausea, but this is uncommon at this stage. Side effects are more likely to appear after the first month, when the dose is increased.

It is important to remain consistent with taking Wegovy, even if you do not experience any difference in your hunger levels or physical appearance during the early stages of treatment. This allows the medication to build up in your body and start to have noticeable effects.

Why am I not losing weight on Wegovy?

To lose weight while taking Wegovy, a calorie deficit has to be maintained. A calorie deficit occurs when fewer calories are consumed than the body uses. This leads to weight loss as the body has to convert fat into the energy it needs to function.

Following a balanced, calorie-controlled diet helps you maintain a calorie deficit and lose weight during Wegovy treatment. A diet that includes complex carbohydrates and high-fibre foods also keeps you feeling full for longer and supports Wegovy’s appetite-suppressing effects.

Regular exercise also increases the amount of calories your body burns, which can help you stay in a calorie deficit. You should try to do some physical activity every day. Walking is an accessible form of exercise that can be appropriate for all fitness levels.

It is important to stay consistent with the exercise you choose to do. This helps to maintain a calorie deficit and long-term weight loss progress while taking Wegovy.

How long do you take Wegovy for weight loss?

You can take Wegovy for as long as it remains effective, well-tolerated, and continues to help with weight loss. Your progress with Wegovy is reviewed regularly by your treatment provider to ensure it remains the most suitable treatment for you.

Wegovy is intended for long-term use, with clinical trials showing that patients taking the maximum 2.4mg dose for 68 weeks achieved the best results, losing up to 17% of their starting body weight^[1].

A review of multiple clinical studies also supported the use of Wegovy (semaglutide) for long-term weight loss treatment^[3].

How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?

In clinical trials, patients taking the highest 2.4mg weekly dose of Wegovy alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity lost up to 17% of their starting body weight over 68 weeks^[1].

Your own results may vary depending on factors such as your diet, activity levels, consistency with treatment, and how well you tolerate the medication. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits throughout treatment is essential to achieving the best results.

How long does Wegovy take to work?

Wegovy may start to reduce your appetite within the first couple of weeks, although this varies from person to person.

Noticeable weight loss is often seen after 4 weeks, once your body has adjusted to the medication. Weight loss typically continues gradually, with the most significant results occurring after several months at higher doses.

The rate at which you see changes depends on factors such as your starting weight, diet, activity levels, and consistency with treatment.

When should I take Wegovy?

There is no ‘best’ time or day to take Wegovy, so you can choose to inject it at a time that works best for you. However, you should choose a time that you can stick to every week and is convenient for you. This keeps you on the dosage schedule and helps to deliver a consistent amount of medication to your body throughout the treatment.

Missing a dose can reduce the effectiveness of treatment and delay your weight loss progress. It can also increase the risk of side effects when treatment is restarted.

What if I miss a dose of Wegovy?

If you forget to take a dose of Wegovy and it has been less than 5 days since your missed dose, take it as soon as you remember.

If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose as normal.

Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

Sources

1. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, The New England Journal of Medicine, 2021. [Accessed 06/08/2025]

2. Semaglutide, National Library of Medicine, 2025. [Accessed 06/08/2025]

3. Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Patients Without Diabetes, The American Journal of Cardiology, 2024. [Accessed 06/08/2025]

Lose weight with Pharmica

Pharmica offers multiple weight loss treatments, including Wegovy. Complete our quick online consultation to determine your eligibility. Once you are approved, we deliver your medication discreetly and straight to your door.

Our fully UK-registered pharmacists and healthcare professionals are on hand to support you. We provide qualified advice at every stage of your weight loss journey. Whether you have a question or a concern, Pharmica’s expert team is only a phone call away.

Explore our weight loss treatment options and take the first step towards your health goals with Pharmica.