While weight loss doesn’t happen overnight, it’s still only natural to ask about a rough timeline. Some sense of certainty is the best incentive to continue making good choices and stick to your journey.
Semaglutide, known by brand names Ozempic® and Wegovy®, slows how quickly your stomach empties so you stay full longer and experience fewer food cravings. You’ll finally be able to focus on something other than food and calories. To help you understand the specifics, we asked Nicole O'Neil, PMHNP, FNP, at Whole Path Integrative Care, about the weight loss injection timeline and when you can expect to get back into your skinny jeans.
The semaglutide weight loss timeline varies, but there are general patterns to expect, according to clinical studies.
In the first month, you’ll experience reduced cravings and begin to lose the first few pounds. By months two and three, noticeable weight loss occurs, with around 5-7% of your body weight typically lost.
By month six, you can expect to have lost more than 10% of your body weight, and by month 12, more than 12% is usually lost.
However, the results vary depending on your starting weight—the heavier you are, the more dramatic the results may be since your current maintenance level is higher.
The results also vary depending on the dosage. The higher the dosage, the faster the weight loss, but higher doses also increase the risk of side effects such as nausea and fatigue. The dose is tailored to your unique needs and tolerance to the drug.
Semaglutide is primarily a blood sugar regulation drug because it mimics a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps regulate both appetite and glucose levels. As a result, people who have insulin (the fat storage hormone) resistance and blood sugar issues due to excess weight benefit the most.
In addition, certain conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), create a vicious cycle; they cause weight gain, which worsens insulin resistance, which in turn leads to more weight gain. Semaglutide breaks that cycle.
If you’ve struggled with losing weight and managing insulin and blood sugar levels, semaglutide may accelerate your weight loss journey by targeting the root cause.
Want to learn more about semaglutide, how the various dosages impact weight loss, and how long it may take to reach your goal weight?
Schedule a virtual weight loss consultation at Whole Path Integrative Care by booking a visit online today.