Semaglutide Before and After: Photos and Month-by-Month Results
In STEP 1, people on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost 14.9% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks, against 2.4% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 14.9%
- On placebo
- 2.4%
- Trial length
- 68 weeks
- Trial
- STEP 1
Wegovy key facts
Its half-life is about 1 week. At 7 d, half remains, while about 3% remains after five half-lives (35 d).
In STEP 1, the body-weight result over 68 weeks was 14.9%, versus 2.4% with placebo.
US-dollar monthly price points cover list prices and self-pay offers. Each figure comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Semaglutide before and after: the numbers first
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Semaglutide 1.7 or 2.4 mg weekly (Wegovy) | 13.7% | semaglutide (Wegovy) | 72 | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults who have type 2 diabetes, plus obesity or overweight |
Sources: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed), STEP 2 (PubMed).
Semaglutide before and after: the numbers first
Across three starting weights, we applied the 14.9% trial average. This is simple math, not a prediction for any one person. Some people lose more, while others lose less.
| Starting weight | Average loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 27 lb | about 4 lb |
| 220 lb | about 33 lb | about 5 lb |
| 260 lb | about 39 lb | about 6 lb |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Week by week
- Stomach side effects are most common during the first weeks, when the dose is low and still being increased. After every dose increase, these effects often return for a few days.
- STEP 1 ended at Week 68, when the average weight loss shown earlier was measured.
Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org, PubMed.
What makes it stall and what helps
- See where you are in the dose steps. Across every trial listed above, the lower doses resulted in less weight loss.
- Add up the doses you missed or took late over the last month.
- Record what you eat and drink for a few days. When portions get smaller, liquid calories and grazing add up.
- Ask your prescriber about thyroid or blood sugar checks, and whether to change medicines after progress stalls for months.