So, you’ve got a prescription for Wegovy, you’ve been taking it for a while and you’re not noticing any results. You’ve spent over £100 and you’re not getting the results you’d hoped for.
Don’t worry – there’s always a reason, and there’s always a solution. We’ve got you covered – let’s explore some of the main reasons you’re not losing weight on Wegovy, and what you can do to enhance weight loss.
If you’re not taking your medication as prescribed, you won’t get the results you expect. If, for example, you skip doses, then your body won’t be getting enough of the medication to facilitate weight loss.
If you miss a dose and your next dose is more than two days away, take it as soon as you remember. However, if your next scheduled dose is less than two days away, skip and wait until your next dose on your designated day.
Take your Wegovy prescription as recommended by your prescriber to ensure that there are steady levels of the drug in your body – and it should begin working effectively.
You don’t lose weight overnight – sustainable weight loss takes time. Although Wegovy starts working pretty quickly, visible and noticeable weight loss can take months.
In clinical trials, patients lost around 2% of their body weight in the first four weeks. However, in a 68-week clinical trial (The STEP-1 Trial), patients lost 15% of their body weight – and over 30% of participants lost 20% of their body weight.
Although results can vary from person to person, here’s a typical timeline of what to expect when taking Wegovy for weight loss:
So, don’t expect instant results – although you may notice some weight loss in the first few weeks, it’s not a guarantee. Stick at it and give it time for the results to show.
If you’ve been taking Wegovy for over 20 weeks and have experienced no weight loss, that is a rarity. Hopefully, your clinician will have picked up on a lack of progress and supported you with an appropriate intervention much sooner than 20 weeks!
They may increase your dosage or provide an alternative or provide additional support to focus on any dietary, activity or behaviour changes that may be inhibiting progress.
You can't lose weight without being in a calorie deficit. Wegovy works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, helping to make you feel fuller for longer and making you feel less hungry. This can ultimately help you eat less and avoid high-calorie foods, making it easier to stay in a calorie deficit.
However, although Wegovy can reduce your energy intake by around 40%, this medication is not magic.
A pitfall that some people occasionally fall into is when they are eating less of everything, they treat themselves a little more say, chocolate, as a reward! This is not really going to work as you get a lot more calories in a lot less volume as chocolate is calorie-dense!
Check out this helpful blog about foods to avoid when taking Wegovy!
To lose weight on Wegovy, we recommend that you make healthy lifestyle changes - exercise and a healthy diet can help boost your weight loss. If you’re still eating too many calories and not burning many calories, then you may not get the results you desire.
If Wegovy isn’t helping you lose weight, it could be because you’re not on the right dose. The starting dose – 0.25 mg a week – isn’t typically enough to get significant weight loss results. This is why your prescriber will gradually escalate your dose to the maximum of 2.4 mg.
Although dosages can vary depending on your individual circumstances, here’s a typical dose escalation timeline:
Week 1-4 – 0.25 mg once a week (starting dose)
Weeks 5-8 – 0.5 mg once a week
Weeks 9-12 – 1 mg once a week
Weeks 13-16 – 1.7 mg once a week
Week 17+ – 2.4 mg once a week (maintenance dose)
This gradual increase over the span of several months helps your body adjust to the medication – jumping straight in on any of the higher doses than 0.25 mg can lead to potential side effects.
If you’re not losing weight on your current dose, speak with your prescriber – they may increase your dosage until you hit the maximum dose of 2.4mg a week.
Underlying health issues can affect the effectiveness of Wegovy. For example, thyroid disorders can make it more difficult to lose weight, even with the help of Wegovy. Here are some more conditions that can make it harder to lose weight on Wegovy:
Always speak to your doctor if you have any concerns. They can look for any underlying factors that may be preventing Wegovy from working effectively.
Lack of sleep can negatively impact your weight loss efforts - it can lead to more snacking, cravings for unhealthy food and weight gain. Adults who get less than seven hours of sleep per night tend to have higher average BMIs.
A study found that women who slept 5 hours (or less) per night were 32% more likely to gain 15kg (33 lbs!) over 16 years compared to those who slept for 7-8 hours per night.
You should aim for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. If you find that Wegovy isn’t working as you’d hoped, assess your sleeping pattern and practice good sleep hygiene to ensure you’re getting enough sleep.
Many people will experience a plateau on their weight loss journey - this is perfectly normal and can be fixed. In fact, they’re a necessary part of the process!
A plateau occurs when your calories burned equals your calorie intake - this often happens at around the 6-month mark but can vary from person to person. It happens because your metabolic rate decreases due to weight loss, as well as other factors such as hormonal changes or your body's resistance.
To break through the plateau, work to amend your calorie intake, exercise more frequently (and/ or intensely), and assess your sleeping pattern and stress levels.
Mounjaro
£205.00
£129.00/month
Yes, there are several alternatives to Wegovy in the UK -- one of the best and most effective being Mounjaro.
Mounjaro is the latest FDA-approved injection for weight loss in the UK and can help you lose up to 22.5% of your body weight over the span of 72 weeks.
Saxenda can also help you lose weight -- it contains the active ingredient liraglutide and can help people lose up to 10% of their body weight in 6 months.
If you’re looking for a Wegovy prescription, you’re in the right place – providing, of course, you meet the Wegovy eligibility criteria.
We offer Wegovy at Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, with prices starting at just £129.
When you are a patient of Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, we will provide you with ongoing support throughout your journey. We’ll carefully monitor your progress and address any concerns you may have about Wegovy not working for you, whether it be changing the medication or adjusting your dose.
To get started on your weight loss journey, complete a consultation today!
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”
Susan lost 5 Stone in just 12 months
“For the first time, losing weight has been both easy and successful in my life.”
Cadi lost 3 Stone in just 12 months
“If you're aiming to lose weight or manage polycystic ovaries, go for this program. It's undoubtedly the best decision.”
Ethan lost 5 Stone in just 5 months
“I’ve never felt so comfortable in my own skin. It's a newfound sense of confidence and well-being that has positively impacted every aspect of my life.”
Dimitra lost 4 Stone in just 8 months
“I cannot recommend this programme enough; it truly works! It's the sole solution that has been effective after my long struggle.”
Lauren lost 5 Stone in just 8 months
“I would advise anyone considering this programme that it's a transformative experience. It has allowed me to embrace life and fully enjoy my twenties.”