Strategies to Manage Side Effects of Wegovy®

Whats the hype?

If you’ve struggled with dieting, calorie counting, gym memberships, or trendy detoxes that promise the world but deliver disappointment — you’re not alone. At rfynd Weight Loss, we work with people like you every day who’ve “done all the right things” and still feel stuck.

Wegovy® (semaglutide) has sparked major interest — not just from celebrities or social media, but from serious clinical research. The STEP trials (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity) offer clear, trustworthy evidence behind how well Wegovy works, who it helps, and what results you can expect.

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Here’s a breakdown of the STEP 1–5 clinical trials

🧪 What Are the STEP Trials?

The STEP Trials includes five large, global clinical trials that tested Wegovy’s effect on weight loss (compare to placebo) in people with obesity or overweight. These trials involved thousands of real people — like you — looking for lasting solutions. Most had tried and failed with diet and exercise alone. By the way, “placebo’s” are treatments with no active ingredients.

STEP 1: Wegovy vs. Placebo (and no diabetes)

📊 Participants: 1,961 adults with obesity or overweight
⏱ Duration: 68 weeks
💊 Treatment: Wegovy 2.4 mg weekly vs placebo, both with lifestyle advice

✅ Results:

• Average 14.9% weight loss with Wegovy vs 2.4% with placebo
• Over 1 in 3 people lost more than 20% of their body weight

👩‍⚕️ What this means for you:
Most participants were women in their 40s and 50s, but men were also included. This is the gold-standard trial showing that Wegovy helps people finally lose real, significant weight, even after many failed attempts.

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STEP 2: Wegovy in people with Type 2 Diabetes

📊 Participants: 1,210 adults with obesity/overweight + type 2 diabetes
⏱ Duration: 68 weeks
💊 Treatment: Wegovy 2.4 mg vs semaglutide 1 mg vs placebo

✅ Results:

• Average weight loss was 9.6% with Wegovy vs 3.4% with placebo
• Improvements in HbA1c and blood sugar control

👩‍⚕️ What this means for you:
Even if you have type 2 diabetes (a common condition in those with obesity), Wegovy still offers meaningful weight loss and improves blood sugar. Results are slightly less than STEP 1 due to insulin-related effects, but still impressive.

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STEP 3: Wegovy + Intensive Lifestyle Support

📊 Participants: 611 adults with obesity
⏱ Duration: 68 weeks
💊 Treatment: Wegovy 2.4 mg + intensive behaviour therapy vs placebo + therapy

✅ Results:

• Wegovy group lost 16% of body weight vs 5.7% in placebo
• Faster weight loss with early improvements in mood and energy reported

👩‍⚕️ What this means for you:
When Wegovy is combined with personalised coaching and support results are even better. This trial shows how mindset, movement, and medication work together. This is another reason why rfynd has built a team of support around you.

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STEP 4: What Happens If You Stop Wegovy?

📊 Participants: 902 adults who lost weight on Wegovy
⏱ Duration: 48 weeks (after initial 20-week run-in)

✅ Results:

• Those who stayed on Wegovy maintained their weight loss
• Those who stopped gained back ~6.9% of their weight

👩‍⚕️ What this means for you:
Wegovy isn’t a quick fix — it's a long-term tool. But with the right support, you can maintain your results. Think of it as a foundation, not a forever dependency.

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STEP 5: Long-Term Wegovy Use – Over 2 Years

📊 Participants: 304 adults
⏱ Duration: 2 years
✅ Results:

• 15.2% average weight loss over 104 weeks
• Most weight lost in the first year, maintained in year two

👩‍⚕️ What this means for you:
Long-term weight loss is possible and sustainable. This is key is you’re looking for lasting change, not yo-yo diets.

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❤️ Final Thoughts

The STEP trials clearly show that Wegovy is more than hype — it’s a clinically proven tool for meaningful, sustained weight loss. And for those of you who’ve spent years trying and failing with typical diets, this can feel like a breath of fresh air.

But weight loss isn’t just about medication. At rfynd Weight Loss, we blend expert care, mindset coaching, and nutrition planning into a personalised, shame-free program tailored for you.

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👉 What’s Next?

📖 Read this next:
Understanding Wegovy® Side Effects – So you know what to expect before you begin

📖 Or check out:
Strategies to Manage Side Effects of Wegovy® – For practical, easy-to-follow tips to stay on track

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Wegovy® (semaglutide) offers a promising new path for many who haven’t seen the changes they want. But like all prescription medications, Wegovy®  can come with side effects — and it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous. At rfynd Weight Loss, we believe in supporting you through your journey with care, empathy, and accurate information. Below, we’ve summarised the known side effects from the New Zealand Medsafe Data Sheet on Wegovy®  to help you understand what to expect and when to seek support.

💬 The Most Common Side Effects: Gut Reactions

Gastrointestinal issues are the most frequently reported side effects of Wegovy, especially during the first few weeks when your dose is being gradually increased.

• Nausea – experienced by about 44% of people. Typically lasts on average for 8 days.
• Diarrhoea – reported by around 30% lasting 3 days on on average
• Vomiting – seen in roughly 25% usually on 2 days in duration.
• Constipation – 24% of patients experienced this with symptoms that can last a few weeks.

These symptoms are usually only mild to moderate and most people find they ease with time.

🧡 Other Digestive Symptoms to Know About

Some people also experience:

• Bloating
• Reflux or indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Gas or belching
• Hiccups

If you already have moderate kidney problems, these symptoms might be stronger — so it’s important to discuss this with your rfynd Weight Loss doctor.

💊 Less Common but Important Reactions

• Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) – Found in 1.6% of patients, with 0.6% developing gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). Please note, gallstone are very common even in those not on Wegovy®.  Furthermore, significant weight loss by any means can lead to forming gallstones. It’s important to seek medical care if you experience severe abdominal pain.
• Hair loss – Reported in 2.5% of people. This is usually mild and happens more with greater weight loss (20%+), and often resolves on its own.
• Increased heart rate – A mild average increase of 3 beats per minute was seen. Around 26% of people had a temporary rise of 20+ bpm.
• Skin sensations – Tingling or sensitive skin reported by 2.1%. Typically mild and settles with time.
• Pancreatitis – Rare (0.2% incidence). It’s important to seek medical care if you experience severe abdominal pain.
• Kidney stones (Urolithiasis) – Occurred in about 1.2% of patients.

🔍 What About People with Type 2 Diabetes?

For those with diabetes:

• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia) – Especially if taking sulfonylureas. It was seen in 6.2% of patients using Wegovy.
• Eye health (Diabetic retinopathy) – Observed in 4% of patients. Discuss with your clinician if you have existing eye disease.

👧🏽 And for Teens?

Wegovy®  was studied in adolescents (12–17 years) for 68 weeks. Side effects were similar to adults, but gallstones occurred in 3.8%. Let your doctor know if you experience severe abdominal pain. There is no long-term data yet on use beyond 68 weeks in this age group.

🙋‍♀️ What Does This All Mean for You?

Most side effects are manageable and temporary. The rfynd clinical team is here to guide you with a judgment-free, professional approach. We offer tailored plans that include monitoring, support, and education — because sustainable weight loss should never feel isolating or overwhelming.

👉🏽 What’s Next?

If you’re considering Wegovy® or already taking it, you might find our companion blogs helpful:
📖 Strategies to Manage Side Effects of Wegovy® – practical tips, food strategies, and when to check in with your rfynd Weight Loss clinician.

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Which is the Safest Weight Loss Surgery?

‍Exploring the Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, and One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass at rfynd Weight Loss

If you’re considering bariatric surgery, safety is likely one of your top concerns—and rightly so. At rfynd Weight Loss, we’re often asked:
“Which weight loss surgery is the safest?”

The good news is that all three of the surgical procedures we offer—Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNYGB), and One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)—are safe, well-established options when performed by an experienced surgical team with the right pre- and post-operative support.

That said, “safest” doesn’t always mean the same thing for everyone. The safest option for you will depend on your medical history, lifestyle, and goals.

Here’s how the three procedures compare.

1. Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy)

Often considered the safest first-line surgical option

What it involves:
About 80% of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow “sleeve” that limits food intake and reduces hunger hormones.

Safety profile:

• No rerouting of the intestines = fewer anatomical changes
• Shorter surgery and hospital stay
• Lower risk of nutrient malabsorption compared to bypass procedures

Risks to consider:

• Can worsen or cause reflux in some people
• Irreversible (as part of the stomach is permanently removed)

Who it may be safest for:
People looking for a simpler procedure with a solid safety profile and effective long-term results, especially if they don’t have severe reflux or diabetes.

2. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNYGB)

Tried-and-tested, especially for diabetes or reflux

What it involves:
A small stomach pouch is created and connected to the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the first section of the intestine.

Safety profile:

• Decades of clinical use with well-documented outcomes
• Often improves or resolves type 2 diabetes quickly
• Can help with severe reflux or heartburn
• May provide more weight loss than sleeve in some cases

Risks to consider:

• Longer surgical time and slightly higher risk of complications
• Requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation
• Small risk of internal hernia or marginal ulcer

Who it may be safest for:
People with reflux, diabetes, or who need significant weight loss and have no issue with a more complex procedure.

3. One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB or Mini Bypass)

A newer, simplified alternative to RNYGB with growing popularity

What it involves:
Similar to RNYGB, but with just one connection (anastomosis) between the stomach pouch and the intestine.

Safety profile:

• Shorter operation time than RNYGB
• Effective weight loss and diabetes resolution
• Slightly fewer surgical steps than RNYGB

Risks to consider:

• Can cause bile reflux in some people
• Nutrient deficiencies are still a consideration
• Long-term data is growing but not as extensive as RNYGB

Who it may be safest for:
People who want the effectiveness of a bypass with a simpler surgical approach—provided they are carefully screened for reflux risk.

So... Which Is the Safest?

In general terms:

• Gastric Sleeve is safest in terms of simplicity and fewer long-term nutritional concerns.
• RNYGB is safest for those with reflux or diabetes who need metabolic benefits.
• OAGB offers a middle ground—simpler than RNYGB, with strong results—but requires careful patient selection.

The safest surgery is the one tailored to you. That’s why at rfynd, every client goes through a full clinical review with a bariatric surgeon before making a decision.

How rfynd Prioritises Safety

Your safety is at the heart of everything we do. When you choose Rfynd, you can count on:

• Expert surgical teams in accredited private hospitals
• Pre-surgical assessments to determine the right procedure for your health
• Ongoing post-op support including medical, nutrition, and coaching follow-up
• A New Zealand-based team who understands your health system and lifestyle

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Thinking About Weight Loss Surgery?

If you're wondering which weight loss surgery is safest for you, the best next step is to book a consultation with our expert bariatric surgeon, Dr Peter Carr-Boyd. During your consult, Dr Carr-Boyd will assess your individual health needs, explain your options, and guide you toward the procedure that offers the best balance of safety and long-term success.

👉 Book a consult with Dr Peter Carr-Boyd today

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