How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Work on Average?

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If you’re prone to yo-yo dieting, failing to keep up your exercise routines, and buying fad meal subscriptions for weight loss, you’re likely excited about semaglutide. One much-cited study suggests that the average adult will lose a whopping 35 pounds, or 15% of their body weight, on this weight-loss medication!

How long does it take for semaglutide to work? Results happen fast, but they won’t show up overnight. They also depend on your unique health and situation.

If you’re considering these injections, here’s what you should know about the potential timeline, semaglutide’s effects on the body, and what you can do to ensure speedy results.

How Long Does It Take for Semaglutide to Work?

In answering this question, let’s get one thing out of the way: we’re talking about averages.

Everyone has a unique body makeup and metabolism. Results will also vary based on the dosage of semaglutide you receive, whether you’re using lower-dose Ozempic injections or higher-dose Wegovy injections. Some patients respond to the medication faster than others, and others experience side effects that influence their results.

However, some patients begin seeing results from semaglutide in as few as four weeks. In one 2021 study, patients saw a minor reduction in body weight in those first weeks. By the end of the study, patients had lost an average of almost 15% of their total body weight.

The majority of patients begin to see more noticeable results within 8-12 weeks of starting their semaglutide regimen.

In rare cases, patients may see no results at all after 12-16 weeks. When this occurs, the patient is unlikely to see any results from further treatment, and they should discontinue their injections.

What Are Semaglutide’s Effects on the Body?

Keep in mind that semaglutide starts working within the body right away, even before the results become obvious.

Each injection mimics a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone helps regulate appetite and food intake. When it reaches your GLP-1 receptors, the semaglutide helps reduce cravings, lower blood sugar, and optimize your metabolism.

Because semaglutide mimics the body’s appetite-suppressing hormone, patients who take it may have an easier time eating less than usual. This can help them boost their weight loss fast.

In addition, semaglutide slows down how fast the stomach empties. This gives patients feelings of satiety, which also helps them eat less throughout the day.

What Is the Timeline for Semaglutide?

We now know you can expect to see noticeable weight loss within a few weeks, but what will your total timeline look like?

Most patients taking weekly injections will start treatment on a low dose of semaglutide, often 0.25mg. This can help catch any unwanted side effects, such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. It also gives the body a chance to get used to the medication.

Often, medical experts recommend increasing the semaglutide dosage after a month or so. Getting semaglutide units at a dosage of 0.5mg is a common next step. This only happens provided there are no side effects or after the side effects have worn off.

From there, patients will see much more variation. Your provider may recommend increasing the dosage as needed, though it will vary on your body and weight-loss goals. The majority of patients will need several months to complete their semaglutide regimen, with some needing a year or more.

After reaching their target weight, or a weight the provider has deemed safe, maintenance plans are common. This allows a patient to maintain their current weight instead of trying to lose too much at once. Often, the provider will recommend lowering the dosage or taking less frequent injections for a few additional weeks or months.

What Affects My Semaglutide Results?

If you’ve gotten your hands on semaglutide in NZ, you may start your treatment expecting certain results. Not so fast!

As mentioned above, your results and timeline will vary on several factors that are out of your control, including your metabolism, health, your reaction to your dosage, the presence or absence of side effects, and weight-loss goals.

However, there are also a few factors within your control that impact your results. As with any medical weight-loss plan, lifestyle changes are in order.

Diet

There are no official guidelines about foods to eat when taking semaglutide. Even so, it’s best practice to follow general guidelines for any medical weight-loss regimen. This includes foods that help with weight management:

• Fiber-rich foods, including vegetables and low-sugar fruits
• Lean proteins, especially fish, lean meats, legumes
• Healthy fats, such as nuts, seeds, and avocados
• Whole grains
• Dairy products

Limit your intake of processed foods, high-sodium products, and added sugar.

While on semaglutide, you should aim for a caloric intake of 1,200-1,800 calories per day. This is true even if you do not feel hungry.

Experts never recommend dropping below 1,200 calories per day for any reason. Doing so can have long-term effects on your body’s metabolism, and it may contribute to nutrient deficiency.

Exercise

One of the biggest semaglutide benefits is that it can work even for patients who don’t exercise. However, exercise can help you see results faster. In fact, when Ozempic and other drugs got FDA approval, they were approved in combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Experts recommend using this medication alongside mild to moderate daily exercise. Don’t hesitate to start small as you see how your body is reacting to the first few weeks of your injections.

Getting into the habit of regular exercise can also help you keep the weight off once you’re finished with your semaglutide regimen.

Get Started With Semaglutide Today

If you’re among our many patients who’ve been wondering “How long does it take for semaglutide to work?” we hope this post has answered your question! Semaglutide is fast-acting compared to other weight-loss regimens, but the timeline will depend on your health and lifestyle. As always, we recommend working with a medical professional to get answers specific to you.

We know semaglutide has been flying off the shelves, so we’re proud to stock it for our online customers! Whether you’re getting started with your new regimen or you’re approaching your maintenance phase, get the dosage you need from Kiwi Drug.