What Is Wegovy and How Does It Work?
Wegovy is a weekly injection of semaglutide approved for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight and related health conditions. It simulates the action of a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 to regulate appetite and slow gastric emptying. As a result, patients experience reduced hunger and feel fuller for longer periods.
Clinical trials show that when combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, Wegovy users can expect an average weight loss of 15 to 20 per cent over 68 weeks. Regular follow-up with healthcare professionals ensures proper dose escalation and monitoring of any adverse effects.
What Are the Main Steps in Wegovy Treatment?
Starting Wegovy involves a structured dosing regimen to minimise gastrointestinal discomfort. Patients begin with a low dose, incrementally increasing over several months. This gradual escalation helps the body adapt and reduces common side effects.
Healthcare providers typically conduct a full assessment before initiating therapy, including measuring body mass index (BMI), reviewing medical history and discussing weight loss goals. For ongoing appointments, monitor progress and adjust dosage if needed.
What Are the Worst Side Effects of Wegovy?
Most side effects are mild to moderate and occur during the initial dose escalation phase. Common issues include:
- Nausea and occasional vomiting
- Diarrhoea and Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
Rare but serious complications may include pancreatitis, characterised by severe abdominal pain and gallbladder disease such as gallstones due to rapid weight loss. Any persistent or severe symptoms warrant immediate medical review.
Who Is Eligible for Wegovy?
Eligibility criteria typically include:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher
- BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia
Patients with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 and pancreatitis are generally advised against Wegovy. A thorough risk-benefit discussion is essential before starting treatment.
How Effective Is Wegovy for Long-Term Weight Management?
Long-term studies indicate that continued use of semaglutide maintains significant weight reduction. Discontinuing therapy often leads to partial weight regain, emphasising the importance of sustained treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Adherence rates are improving as patient support programmes and financial assistance schemes become more widely available. Real-world data suggest that approximately two-thirds of patients remain on therapy after one year when properly supported.
How Should You Prepare for Wegovy Injections?
Preparation for Wegovy is straightforward: patients receive training on self-administration using a prefilled pen. Key considerations include:
- Selecting a consistent day and time each week for injection
- Rotating injection sites to prevent skin irritation
- Storing pens in a refrigerator according to guidelines
Proper planning and instruction help patients feel confident and reduce the likelihood of dosing errors.
What Monitoring Is Required During Treatment?
Regular monitoring focuses on both safety and efficacy. Healthcare professionals will:
- Track weight-loss progress and vital signs
- Perform blood tests to assess kidney, pancreatic and liver function
- Adjust any concomitant medications, especially in diabetic patients, to prevent hypoglycemia
Monitoring also includes assessment of nutritional status to identify and correct micronutrient deficiencies that may arise during significant weight loss.
Can Wegovy Be Combined with Other Weight-Loss Therapies?
Current guidelines advise against the concurrent use of multiple GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, emerging therapies targeting additional hormones are under investigation. Always consult your medical team before combining or switching treatments.
Future combination therapies may offer enhanced outcomes, yet safety profiles and cost-effectiveness will determine their clinical role.
How Does Wegovy Compare with Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery — such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy — physically reduces stomach size or reroutes the digestive tract to limit food intake and nutrient absorption. It often results in rapid and substantial weight loss, sometimes exceeding 30 percent of body weight within a year.
However, the surgical approach carries risks including infection, nutritional deficiencies and a longer recovery period. Wegovy offers a non-surgical alternative with fewer procedural risks, but requires ongoing weekly injections and adherence to lifestyle adjustments.
How Do You Decide Between Wegovy and Surgery?
Choosing between Wegovy and bariatric surgery depends on several factors:
- Severity of obesity and presence of comorbidities.
- Patient’s risk tolerance and preference regarding surgery versus injections.
- Long-term weight-loss objectives and maintenance strategy.
A multidisciplinary team — including physicians, surgeons, dietitians and counselors—guides shared decision-making to select the most appropriate intervention.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information and Support?
For reliable information and support, utilize trusted resources like professional medical organizations, obesity associations, and peer-reviewed journals. These sources provide accurate and evidence-based guidance to help you make informed decisions.
Patient advocacy groups and online support communities can also offer valuable insights and connections with others who share similar experiences. However, always verify online information with healthcare professionals to ensure accuracy and relevance to your specific situation.
Where Does Supreme Hospitals Fit in Your Wegovy Journey?
Even if Supreme Hospitals may not provide bariatric surgery, our Radiology Department plays a key role in safe weight‑loss care. Before you begin Wegovy, imaging tests such as X‑rays, CT scans and ultrasounds can help:
- Ensure your heart, liver and pancreas are healthy.
- Track improvements in obesity‑related conditions like fatty liver or elevated blood pressure.
- Detect rare side effects promptly, such as gallbladder or pancreatic complications.
Supreme’s state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic suite in Chennai combines advanced imaging with expert interpretation, creating a holistic care pathway.
You can book a radiology appointment at Supreme Hospitals as part of your pre‑Wegovy evaluation or monitoring regimen.
