Seeing celebrities on social media promoting weight loss products is pretty common, but the promise of an easy weight loss solution has hit new heights with Ozempic. It’s the prescription drug everyone’s talking about these days and the Ozempic weight loss before and after pictures you see on social media and pretty much everywhere on the Internet has further piqued people’s interest.
Dr. Jamy Ard, MD, an obesity specialist and a professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest School of Medicine points out that there’s a lot of confusion about Ozempic, and he wants to clear things up. Ozempic’s generic name is semaglutide and it is approved for managing Type 2 diabetes. The maker of Ozempic Novo Nordisk also produces another drug called Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide but is approved specifically for weight loss. Wegovy is usually prescribed for weight loss, though Ozempic might be used if Wegovy isn’t available.
Dr. Ard explains that these drugs aren’t meant for someone looking to shed 20 pounds before a cruise or wedding. They’re intended for people with obesity, where weight loss is critical for health. Ozempic (and by extension Wegovy) is designed for long-term use and stopping the medication will likely result in gaining the weight back.
What to Expect When Taking Ozempic Week by Week
If you’re wondering if Ozempic is right for you, we’ve outlined the effects of the drug week by week below. Keep in mind however that everyone’s experience with Ozempic will be different, so it’s important to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
Ozempic Week 1
Patients usually start with a low dose of 0.25 milligrams, injected under the skin. Although there have been many news stories about Ozempic’s side effects, most people tolerate it well, with only about 20 percent experiencing nausea.
The dosage is gradually increased to minimize the side effects. When you start taking Ozempic you might notice feeling fuller and more aware of your fullness, which is due to changes in brain chemistry.
Ozempic Weeks 2-4
Around this time, the weight loss might not be noticeable yet but you should notice feeling a bit lighter than before. Also, if you experienced nausea with your first dose, you might experience it again. If you do feel nauseous, your healthcare provider will help you identify the cause and find a possible solution, such as adjusting your diet.
Ozempic Week 5-6
Week five is important because the dosage is often increased around this time from 0.25 milligrams to 0.5 milligrams. At this point, you may start noticing weight loss.
Some people will continue with the 0.5 milligram dosage, while others might gradually increase to 2 milligrams.
Ozempic Weight Loss in the First Month
Based on findings from randomized controlled trials, people taking Ozempic tend to lose about 1.1% of their body weight after one month. By the end of the 2nd month, you’ll lose about 2.2% of your body weight. It’s worth noting that the most noticeable changes in your body and weight will happen after 3 months.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Ozempic in a Month?
According to data from randomized controlled trials, Ozempic can help you lose around 1 kg or approximately 1.1% of your body weight after one month. After two months, you might lose about 2 kg or 2.2% of your body weight. Interestingly, this initial weight loss is similar to other weight loss treatments or diet changes. The significant impact of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, becomes evident after three months.
Another study found that people who received weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of about 15 pounds after three months and around 27 pounds after six months, which breaks down to approximately a 5-pound weight loss per month.
Do You Lose More Weight on Higher Doses of Ozempic?
Research indicates that higher doses of Ozempic can lead to more weight loss. One study showed that after 30 weeks, 1 mg of Ozempic resulted in a weight loss of 4.5 kg, compared to 3.7 kg with a 0.5 mg dose.
However, it’s important to remember that everyone responds differently to medication, and your weight loss will depend on how well you respond to the medication as well as the lifestyle changes you make. Some people may lose more weight on lower doses because they are more sensitive to the drug’s effects and do not need to increase the dosage.
Ozempic Weight Loss Pictures Before and After
Below are some of the Ozempic weight loss before and after pictures shared by real people:
Laura lost a total of 40 lbs in a period of 14 months taking Ozempic. She also reported losing 7 inches off her waist, feeling revitalized and healthier overall.
Brandon is a 47 year old engineering consultant from Ohio. He’s been trying to lose weight for the past 5 years but found it hard to do so. He started taking Ozempic in May 2023 and has since lost 52 lbs.
Jane is a mother of 3. After she gave birth to her first child, she found it difficult to lose her pregnancy weight. By the time she had her third baby, she weight 60 lbs more than before she became a mom. Jane started taking Ozempic in September 2023 and has since lost 35 lbs.
Ozempic Before and After Experiences from Real People
Four individuals who have taken Ozempic share their own experiences with this drug.
Pepper Schwartz
Pepper Schwartz does not have Type 2 diabetes. She started using Ozempic off-label in 2022 after her doctor and follow-up medical tests deemed it appropriate. She has lost about 30 pounds and has maintained that weight loss.
At 78, Schwartz emphasizes the health benefits over fitting into smaller clothing sizes, as well as having lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Jamel Corona
Jamel Corona turned to semaglutide in 2021 after struggling to lose weight on her own. She has lost about 60 pounds but emphasizes that the process requires discipline with food and regular exercise. Despite social media portrayals of rapid weight loss, she works out five days a week and eats healthy foods. Her weight loss has already stabilized and she plans to stay on the medication long-term. She also mentioned losing interest in alcohol after starting the medication.
Barbie Jackson-Williams
Barbie Jackson-Williams has lost 180 pounds with Ozempic and regular exercise. She started taking Ozempic in 2021 when she weighed 400 pounds to manage her Type 2 diabetes and lose weight. She now makes better food choices, her blood sugar has dropped to prediabetic levels, and she is much more active. She emphasized however that Ozempic requires effort and is not a quick fix.
Wendy Tell
Wendy Tell is a retired teacher in Yorktown, Virginia. Right now she worries about gaining back the 25 pounds she has lost with Ozempic if she stops using the medication. Although she takes it primarily for Type 2 diabetes, the high cost is a significant concern. She’s on Medicare but she still pays more than $700 for a 90-day supply due to coverage limits in her prescription plan.
Factors That May Impact Your Weight Loss with Ozempic
Many factors can influence how effectively Ozempic will help you shed pounds and we’ve listed the most prevalent ones here:
Nutrition
Keep in mind that the clinical studies on semaglutide and weight loss include dietary and exercise components as part of the intervention. The weight loss outcomes mentioned were achieved through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Factors such as not maintaining a balanced diet or not consuming enough calories can affect your weight loss results with Ozempic.
Exercise
Keeping up with a regular physical activity routine is necessary for your overall health. Experts suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two days per week of resistance training. Participants in the clinical trials were encouraged to meet this 150-minute weekly activity goal.
Stress and Sleep
Other lifestyle factors, like high stress levels and inadequate sleep, can impact your weight loss results with Ozempic. Research indicates that elevated cortisol (stress hormone) can make shedding pounds more difficult. Also stress might lead to cravings for fried foods and sugary snacks making it harder to stick to your diet plan. Studies show that consistent bedtimes, better sleep quality, and more total sleep hours lead to greater weight loss.
Medical History
If you have a medical condition that makes losing weight challenging or take medication associated with weight gain, your results on Ozempic may differ from those seen in clinical trials. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism can affect your ability to lose weight if untreated.
Dosing
When you begin Ozempic, you start at the lowest dose to allow your body to adjust to the medication and reduce the risk of side effects. While some people lose weight on the lowest dose, others gradually increase their dose over time. The optimal dose for maintenance varies for each individual. People who encounter many side effects at higher doses may need to stay on a lower dose. Your tolerance to Ozempic can affect your dose and, consequently, your weight loss results.
A 2022 cohort study found that those with overweight or obesity who took semaglutide at doses between 0.25 and 2.4 mg lost 5.9% of their body weight at three months and 10.9% at six months. People on higher doses lost more weight than those on lower doses, with the lower-dose group losing an average of 9.2% of their body weight and the higher-dose group losing 12.1% in six months.
How to Know If Ozempic Isn’t Working for You
Everyone reacts to medications differently. While many people lose weight on Ozempic, the results can vary. If you’re not seeing progress towards your weight loss goals, it’s natural to wonder why and whether there’s a solution. Medications like Ozempic work best when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a nutrient-dense diet and regular exercise. These are critical components, and without them, your progress might slow down.
It’s also worth mentioning that it can take weeks or even months to have noticeable weight loss while taking Ozempic. Give it enough time—at least eight weeks—to start working.
If you feel you’re doing everything right and think Ozempic isn’t effective for you, you might need to adjust your dose. Some people experience a plateau or notice diminishing effects while taking Ozempic, which could indicate that you haven’t yet reached your maintenance dose.
Getting Started with Ozempic for Weight Loss
If you’ve decided you want to start using Ozempic for weight loss, you first need to get a doctor’s prescription. Your doctor will determine your eligibility for the drug (they don’t prescribe it for everybody) based on your medical profile and body weight. Once you’re deemed suitable and you’ve been given the prescription, the next step is to find a licensed pharmacy that has a supply of Ozempic. Right now there is a shortage of Ozempic as this drug is in high demand all over the world. And if you do find it, the cost can be prohibitive – around $950 to $1,000 for a month’s supply.
Another alternative you may want to consider is getting semaglutide (the generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy) from telehealth services like Brightmeds. They work with licensed pharmacies in the US providing compounded semaglutide to eligible customers. Brightmeds is comprised of a team of healthcare professionals who will evaluate your medical profile to check if you are suitable for an Ozempic treatment.