Weight loss Medication - what you need to know

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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Starting Wegovy® is a big decision — and feeling your best while on it is key to success. At rfynd Weight Loss, we’ve guided many women and men through the ups and downs of weight loss medications. Below are practical, simple tips to help you manage the most common side effects of Wegovy.

1. Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhoea

These usually settle over time. Here’s what helps:

• Eat small, bland meals – Think toast, rice, or soup.
• Avoid greasy or spicy food, especially in the first few hours after your injection.
• Stay hydrated – Sip water or electrolyte drinks often.
• Ginger tea or peppermint can ease nausea.

2. Constipation

Constipation can linger longer than other symptoms, but there’s help:

• Add fibre slowly into your diet (oats, veggies, kiwi fruit).
• Drink 2+ litres of water daily.
• Stay active – a daily walk supports gut movement.
• Consider a gentle laxative (e.g. macrogol or docusate) if needed – check with your clinician.

‍3. Hair Thinning

Hair loss may occur with rapid weight loss:

• Ensure you’re getting enough protein and essential nutrients.
• Consider a salon shampoo designed to prevent hair loss.
• Most people notice regrowth within a few months.

4. Gallbladder Care by:

• Avoiding extreme fasting or crash diets.
• Staying well-hydrated.
• Eating regular meals with some healthy fats to keep bile flowing.

5. Heart Rate & Skin Sensations

These usually don’t require treatment, but keep your medical team updated if symptoms persist.

When to Seek Help

Contact your health care professional if you:

• Have severe stomach pain
• Experience symptoms of low blood sugar (shaking, sweating, confusion)
• Notice changes in vision
• Are feeling unsure about how you're coping

📖 Want more information? Read our blog on Understanding Wegovy® Side Effects for a full breakdown.

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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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