Wegovy helps a lot of people with obesity and related health conditions lose weight, but progress isn’t always linear.
It’s easy to feel disheartened if you’ve hit a plateau after seeing strong results, or if you aren’t losing the weight you’re hoping to. But experiencing a Wegovy plateau is normal, and doesn’t mean that you’ve failed, or that you’ll put the weight back on. It’s common to go through a period where weight loss slows or even stops.
Here, we’ll take a look at what happens if Wegovy stops working, and what you can try to help get out of your weight-loss plateau.
What is a Wegovy plateau?
A Wegovy plateau occurs when your weight stays about the same even though you’re still using the medication. For many people, this can happen after seeing steady progress for weeks or months.
As frustrating as it can be, it’s often simply because your body is adapting to your weight loss. It’s not that you’ve done anything wrong – and if you hadn’t lost the weight in the first place, there wouldn’t be a plateau.
If you’re seeing a plateau, it’s likely due to a few different natural changes your body makes to help it cope with this new normal.
Why a Wegovy plateau can happen
When somebody is overweight or obese, their body needs more calories to operate. As their calorie intake decreases on Wegovy, and they burn more calories than they consume, they begin to lose weight.
As they lose weight, their body needs fewer calories to function – their metabolism slows down. As the body becomes more efficient, it doesn’t burn as many calories day-to-day, which can slow further weight loss.
Something else to remember is that not everyone is at the highest Wegovy dose. If you’re moving through the dose sizes and you aren’t seeing the weight loss you’re after, you might see greater benefits once you’re at the maximum dose. Or, if you’ve settled at a different dose and have hit a plateau, you might want to consider increasing again.
If you saw rapid weight loss near the beginning of your Wegovy treatment, this might have been due to shedding excess water weight. Over time, this weight loss may slow down as your water weight stabilises.
How to restart Wegovy weight-loss progress
Don’t give up hope if you’re worried that Wegovy has stopped working. You could try the following to see if they help you:
Review your lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle will help you lose weight on Wegovy. You might look at reducing your calorie intake further, using a food journal or a calorie-tracking app to help you or increasing your protein intake. Protein helps you feel full, reduces hunger hormones and boosts your metabolism. Similarly, eating fibre can increase feelings of fullness, and it slows digestion, too.
Regular physical activity will help you burn more calories, too. Try doing some resistance training, which builds muscle and boosts your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories at rest, and so can help you lose weight.
Adjust your Wegovy dose
If you aren’t already taking the highest dose, you might benefit from dose adjustment under medical supervision. Wegovy becomes more effective at higher doses.
Your dose should be increased gradually, so be mindful not to make any changes without speaking to your prescriber.
When to speak to a healthcare professional
Checking in with a clinician regularly can help you ensure that you’re on a plan that’s likely to work for you.
If you don’t, but you’re concerned about your appetite returning, the plateau has lasted for a while or you’re worried about potential side effects, it’s best to reach out. Medical supervision will help you get the best results, and personalise treatment plans so that they work best for you.
Remember, plateaus are a normal part of weight loss, as frustrating as they might be. It’s natural; the body is adjusting to its new weight. But understanding why it happens and what you can do about it will help you stay on track and keep making that all-important progress.
Clinics specialising in medically supervised weight management, like The Virtual Slimming Clinic, can help you make a plan going forward and decide whether small lifestyle changes or adjustments to medication might help you restart your weight-loss progress.
Frequently asked questions
Are Wegovy plateaus normal?
Yes, Wegovy plateaus are quite common as metabolism slows and your body needs fewer calories over time when you’re losing weight. It’s normal, and likely just means that you need to make a couple of small changes.
How long does a weight-loss plateau last on Wegovy?
Everyone’s different, and a plateau could last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. It will depend on factors like diet, physical activity and how your body adapts to weight loss. If the plateau continues for a while, you might find it helpful to speak to a healthcare professional.
Can I adjust my dose if Wegovy stops working?
If you aren’t already taking the highest Wegovy dose, increasing it might help you. Wegovy usage generally follows a gradual dosage increase, to give the body a chance to adapt to the medication. If you think you’d benefit from an increased dose, speak to your prescriber so you can formulate a plan together.