After hitting the market in 2021, Wegovy’s popularity increased, especially among those looking for weight loss supplements. At that point, I knew I had to look into this and find out what all the hype was about.
In 2023 there are still many doubts about this product. People have been all over Reddit and other websites I monitor and asked:
Is Wegovy injection really good for losing body weight?
Is it safe, and does it have positive effects on people’s health? Here are all the answers that I can provide being an experienced nutritionist.
What Is Wegovy?
Before delving into its alleged benefits for weight loss, it’s important to know what Wegovy injections are.
Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, is a 2.4 mg self-administered injection approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults struggling with obesity, overweight, or other weight-related medical problems.
It has been labeled as an FDA-approved product since June 2021 and is the first prescribed chronic weight management drug to receive authorization from the federal agency since 2014.
How Does Wegovy Work and Promote Weight Loss?
Wegovy is described as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. Therefore, to understand how this medication works, it’s essential to know what this hormone is.
GLP-1 is a natural hormone that all people have in their bodies and is responsible for sending instructions to regulate appetite and control food intake.
Since Wegovy injections act in a similar way to GLP-1, they suppress appetite, reducing the amount of food and calories ingested to help patients lose weight.
Thanks to this process, this human GLP-1 receptor agonist has been considered a game changer for those seeing weight loss solutions.
What Is the Recommended Dosage for Those Following a Body Weight Loss Program?
While this medication is considered by many to be a hit on its own when it comes to weight loss, the truth is that it should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan.
A weight loss specialist must approve both the change in food intake behavior and the low-calorie diet program. In addition, those who use Wegovy must also engage in more physical activity in their daily lives.
The initial dose of Wegovy is usually 0.25mg injected subcutaneously once a week for one month.
However, after the first four weeks, patients should increase the dose every month until reaching 2.4mg once every seven days. It’s called the “maintenance dose.”
Understanding Wegovy Side Effects
Besides knowing the recommended dosage and how this medication works, it is also essential to know its side effects.
Unfortunately, Wegovy weight loss injections can cause serious side effects. In the worst-case scenario, this drug could cause thyroid tumors and cancer.
Other severe side effects associated with Wegovy include an increased risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
If patients take medications to treat type 2 diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, the risk of suffering low blood sugar after using Wegovy is even higher.
Some people may also experience gallbladder problems, such as gallstones, kidney problems, pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation, severe allergic reactions, vision changes, depression, and increased heart rate.
Other common Wegovy side effects also include the following:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Stomach or abdomen pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Feeling bloated
- Dizziness
- Belching
- Stomach flu
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Potential weight gain
Recommendations for People Using Wegovy
Additionally, people using Wegovy are advised to follow these tips to avoid the medication’s gastrointestinal side effects:
- Reduce alcohol abuse
- Maintain a low-carbohydrate diet
- Eat smaller bites of food
- Eat more frequently
- Avoid sugary drinks
- Avoid overeating
- Drink a lot of water
- Choose bland foods, if possible
- Eat slower and chew the food well
Wegovy First Month Results: Is It Possible to Lose Weight in the First Four Weeks?
Like other weight loss medications, Wegovy’s first-month results may vary in each person.
Most people can lose a few pounds in the first month. However, significant results are usually seen after a few weeks. In addition, it depends on the patients’ habits and the medical recommendations they follow.
What Do Wegovy Weight Loss Reviews Say?
Wegovy is a relatively new product but has garnered a few reviews online. Most are positive, but some explain some of this drug’s problems.
First, there are the side effects. Many people experienced fatigue and nausea after taking the first Wegovy injections.
Other users said this weight loss drug doesn’t give immediate or quick results. In fact, many say that losing weight with Wegovy is slow and takes a long time. I’ve decided to make a complete page on the side effects here.
However, according to some Wegovy patient reviews, they saw successful weight loss after taking Wegovy.
Many users said that they lost weight because this medication suppressed their appetite. On average, most individuals who claimed to have taken Wegovy lost around 15% of their weight.
How Much Does Wegovy Cost?
Another question that most people have in mind about this weight loss solution is how much it costs. Well, it’s expensive.
Depending on the pharmacy, this product can cost $1,300-1,500, which is a lot compared to other weight loss medications. Some private insurance companies, including Medicaid, cover obesity drugs, but each person should review their policy conditions to confirm that information.
Looking for an alternative to this? Check out Tirzepatide.
Final Thoughts: Professional Glance at Wegovy Reviews
Here’s my opinion as a professional nutritionist with experience in weight loss: I do not recommend Wegovy to anyone.
If your BMI is over 30 or you have been trying to lose weight naturally, this medication may be for you.
Overall, the best method to lose weight is to reduce calorie intake and increase caloric expenditure through physical activity.
However, for some people, losing weight is challenging even if they follow those recommendations, and they’re at risk of all the serious consequences that obesity brings as a chronic disease.
In these cases, taking Wegovy might work. However, I don’t think it is a definitive solution, and you should keep in mind that it is related to severe and common side effects that can affect your overall health.
If you suffer from a weight-related medical condition and want to take Wegovy, you should talk to your doctor.
Also, before using this drug, please read the instructions carefully or ask a professional how to administer it correctly.