One of the most common questions people ask before starting GLP-1 medication is: "When will I see results?" Here's a complete month-by-month timeline of what to expect from semaglutide and tirzepatide, based on clinical trials and real-world experience.
Quick Overview
What to Expect
- Week 1-2: Appetite suppression begins, minimal weight loss (1-3 lbs)
- Month 1: 2-5% body weight loss, side effects most common
- Month 2-3: Continued steady loss, 5-8% total weight loss
- Month 4-6: Peak weight loss velocity, 8-12% total loss
- Month 7-12: Gradual tapering to final results, 12-15% (semaglutide) or 15-22% (tirzepatide)
- Month 12+: Maintenance phase, weight stabilization
When Do Results Start?
Most people notice appetite suppression within the first few days of starting GLP-1 medication. However, significant weight loss takes longer to appear on the scale.
First Week
What you'll notice: Reduced hunger and food cravings are the first effects. Many people report feeling satisfied with smaller portions and having less interest in food overall. You might lose 1-3 pounds, mostly water weight.
First Month
Average weight loss: 2-5% of body weight (4-10 lbs for a 200 lb person). This is when you're typically on the lowest starter dose, so results are modest but noticeable. Side effects like nausea are most common during this period.
Month-by-Month Timeline
Here's what to expect based on average results from clinical trials and real-world use:
Month 1 (Weeks 1-4)
- Dose: Starting dose (0.25 mg semaglutide or 2.5 mg tirzepatide)
- Weight Loss: 2-5% of total body weight
- Example: 200 lb person loses 4-10 lbs
- What's Happening: Your body is adjusting to the medication, appetite is suppressed, you're eating less
- Side Effects: Nausea, digestive changes most common
Month 2 (Weeks 5-8)
- Dose: First increase (0.5 mg semaglutide or 5 mg tirzepatide)
- Cumulative Weight Loss: 5-8% of starting weight
- Example: 200 lb person now at 184-190 lbs (10-16 lbs lost)
- What's Happening: Weight loss accelerates with higher dose, new eating habits forming
- Side Effects: May return temporarily with dose increase but less severe
Month 3 (Weeks 9-12)
- Dose: Second increase (1.0 mg semaglutide or 7.5 mg tirzepatide)
- Cumulative Weight Loss: 8-10% of starting weight
- Example: 200 lb person now at 180-184 lbs (16-20 lbs lost)
- What's Happening: Steady consistent loss, clothes fitting differently, others noticing
- Side Effects: Most people have adapted, side effects minimal
Months 4-6 (Peak Weight Loss)
- Dose: Maintenance dose (1.7-2.4 mg semaglutide or 10-15 mg tirzepatide)
- Cumulative Weight Loss: 10-15% of starting weight
- Example: 200 lb person now at 170-180 lbs (20-30 lbs lost)
- What's Happening: This is your fastest rate of weight loss, maximum medication effect
- Energy: Many people report improved energy and mobility
Months 7-12 (Continued Loss)
- Dose: Stable maintenance dose
- Cumulative Weight Loss: 12-15% (semaglutide) or 15-20% (tirzepatide)
- Example: 200 lb person reaches 160-176 lbs (24-40 lbs lost)
- What's Happening: Weight loss slows but continues, approaching final results
- Focus: Building sustainable habits for long-term maintenance
Month 12-18+ (Maintenance)
- Final Results: 12-15% (semaglutide) or 15-22% (tirzepatide) total weight loss
- Example: 200 lb person stabilizes at 156-176 lbs depending on medication
- What's Happening: Weight stabilizes, focus shifts to maintenance
- Next Steps: Decide whether to continue medication or try tapering off
Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide Results
Both medications produce significant weight loss, but tirzepatide tends to produce greater results:
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
- Average weight loss: 12-15% at 68 weeks
- 200 lb person: Loses 24-30 lbs
- Peak results: Around 15-18 months
- Cost: $99-$300/month at providers like CoreAge Rx
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
- Average weight loss: 15-22% at 72 weeks
- 200 lb person: Loses 30-44 lbs
- Peak results: Around 16-18 months
- Cost: $249-$450/month
Read our complete comparison of semaglutide vs tirzepatide to understand the differences in detail.
Setting Realistic Expectations
It's important to have realistic expectations about GLP-1 weight loss:
What GLP-1 Can Do
- Produce 12-22% weight loss on average (varies by medication)
- Significantly reduce appetite and food cravings
- Help you maintain weight loss while on medication
- Improve metabolic health markers (blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure)
- Make it easier to adhere to a calorie deficit
What GLP-1 Cannot Do
- Guarantee you'll lose weight without any effort (you still need to eat reasonably)
- Produce the same results for everyone (individual variation is significant)
- Instantly melt fat away (it takes months to see full results)
- Maintain weight loss if you stop medication and return to old eating habits
- Replace the need for healthy lifestyle changes
Important: GLP-1 medications are tools, not magic pills. They make weight loss significantly easier, but your choices about diet, exercise, and lifestyle still matter.
Success Rates from Clinical Trials
Clinical trial data shows how many people achieve different levels of weight loss:
Semaglutide (Wegovy) Clinical Trial Results
- 86% of participants lost 5%+ of body weight
- 69% lost 10%+ of body weight
- 50% lost 15%+ of body weight
- 32% lost 20%+ of body weight
Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Clinical Trial Results
- 91% of participants lost 5%+ of body weight
- 85% lost 10%+ of body weight
- 66% lost 15%+ of body weight
- 57% lost 20%+ of body weight (at highest dose)
The bottom line: Most people (85-90%) achieve clinically significant weight loss (5%+), and the majority (65-85%) lose 10%+ of their body weight. Individual results vary based on starting weight, adherence, diet, exercise, and genetics.
How to Maximize Your Results
While GLP-1 medication does most of the heavy lifting, you can optimize your results with these strategies:
Proven Strategies
- Prioritize protein: Aim for 80-100g daily to preserve muscle mass
- Exercise regularly: Resistance training 2-3x/week prevents muscle loss
- Stay consistent: Take your injection on the same day every week
- Track progress: Use photos and measurements, not just the scale
- Manage side effects: Don't suffer in silence, work with your provider
- Be patient: Results take 12-18 months for full effect
- Build habits: Use this time to develop sustainable eating patterns
Learn more about managing side effects and our complete beginner guide for more success tips.
What If You Hit a Plateau?
Weight loss plateaus are normal and expected. Most people experience at least one plateau during their GLP-1 journey:
Why Plateaus Happen
- Your body adapts to the lower weight and reduces calorie burn
- You've been at the same dose for several months
- Portion sizes have gradually increased
- Your body is recomposing (losing fat but gaining muscle)
- Natural fluctuations in water weight mask fat loss
How to Break Through
- Increase your dose: Talk to your provider about going to the next level
- Add exercise: Incorporate or increase strength training
- Track your food: You may be eating more than you think
- Increase protein: Higher protein can boost metabolism
- Be patient: Give it 4-6 weeks before making changes
- Consider switching: If semaglutide plateaus, tirzepatide may restart loss
The Bottom Line
GLP-1 medications produce significant, gradual weight loss over 12-18 months. Most people lose 12-22% of their body weight depending on which medication they use. Results start within the first month but peak results take patience and consistency.
The key is having realistic expectations, staying consistent with your medication, and using this time to build sustainable healthy habits. Check out our provider rankings to find the best option for starting your GLP-1 journey.
Ready to Start Your GLP-1 Journey?
CoreAge Rx offers semaglutide starting at just $99/month with fast consultations and ongoing support to help you achieve your weight loss goals.