What is the Wegovy Maintenance Dose? | Dr. Dan Obesity Expert

Are you on Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, at a given dose, and you've reached your target weight? And now, the question has come up: what do I do with my weight loss medication when I reach my target weight?
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Do I come off of the medication altogether? Do I reduce my dose to a maintenance dose in order to maintain the weight that I lost?
How exactly do we approach this once we've reached that target weight?
Let’s get into it.
Transcript: healthevolved.co/wegovy-maint...
References:
▪️ John P H Wilding, Rachel L Batterham, Salvatore Calanna, Melanie Davies, Luc F Van Gaal, Ildiko Lingvay, Barbara M McGowan, Julio Rosenstock, Marie T D Tran, Thomas A Wadden, Sean Wharton, Koutaro Yokote, Niels Zeuthen, Robert F Kushner; STEP-1 Study Group. (March 18, 2021). Pub Med. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
Retrieved by: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567...
▪️ John P H Wilding, Rachel L Batterham, Salvatore Calanna, Melanie Davies, Luc F Van Gaal, Ildiko Lingvay, Barbara M McGowan, Julio Rosenstock, Marie T D Tran, Thomas A Wadden, Sean Wharton, Koutaro Yokote, Niels Zeuthen, Robert F Kushner; STEP-1 Study Group. (August 24, 2022). National Library of Medicine. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension.
Retrieved by: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35441...
▪️ W Timothy Garvey 1, Rachel L Batterham 2 3 4, Meena Bhatta 5, Silvio Buscemi 6 7, Louise N Christensen 5, Juan P Frias 8, Esteban Jódar 9, Kristian Kandler 5, Georgia Rigas 10, Thomas A Wadden 11, Sean Wharton 12; STEP 5 Study Group (October 28, 2022). National Library of Medicine. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial.
Retrieved by: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36216...
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Related weight loss medication videos:
▪️ High Dose Wegovy: • High Dose Wegovy | Dr ...
▪️ Muscle Loss with Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro: • Muscle Loss with Ozemp...
▪️ Wegovy Stopped Working: • Wegovy Stopped Working...
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Video Topics: medication for weight loss injection, benefits of prescription weight loss, medication management benefits, anti-obesity medication, medical weight loss, weight management, weight loss medications, weight loss injections, obesity treatment, medically supervised weight loss, weight loss placebo, Wegovy, weight maintenance
#wegovy #obesity #obesitymedicine

[@joetalafous4881]

"It doesn't mean you are a failure or cheating. If it is allowing you to achieve your healthiest and happiest life, that is A-OK. Everybody else, can go catch a chicken!" Amen, Doc!

[@kite6864]

if only all doctors had that mindset

[@CZMuzic2714]

Tell that to the diabetics that can’t get these drugs because it’s the latest get thinner quick fix! If you aren’t diabetic, you should not have access to these drugs that are necessary for those with diabetes. Maybe if they boiled some chicken and chose to eat that instead of crap food, they might have their weight under control.

[@joetalafous4881]

Tell what to the diabetics? Your reply is off topic and irrelevant.@@CZMuzic2714

[@klodomir]

@@CZMuzic2714Diabetics are on Ozempic, overweight people without diabetes are on Wegovy. Go complain to the manufacturer instead. What you’re talking about happened two years ago, before Wegovy was approved.

[@BoringTroublemaker]

@@CZMuzic2714Wegovy is only for weight loss. It’s not for diabetics. Stay in your lane.

[@user-ps7ez4qp8p]

I have been taking ozempic since april 2023. I took .25mg for 4 weeks and increased to 0.5mg on week 5. My dosage is still 0.5mg as of today. My a1c is now under 7. I have loss 25 lbs and maintaing my weight loss using the 0.5mg dosage. I am at my goal weight.

[@sharingmyfun8804]

It’s so nice to have some straight talk. Nice job. Thank you. 8:54

[@elisedevore]

Thank you very much. HCP here looking for advice on this and has been hard to find. Much appreciated Dr. Dan!

[@Indy2-hr2ct]

Thank you for making this video.

[@theofficialdrdan]

🥰🥰

[@husika37]

The best video I've seen so far. I am on Sema but I think my doctor messed up my maintenance dose and now my appetite is back and started gaining weight again. This video gave me clarification that I should not have been put back on a started dose for maintenance.

[@zahararay5611]

I’ve been on Ozempic for two weeks and I’ve definitely noticed a decline in my thoughts about and interest in food. I’m only on .25 but I’m excited about it. Also since I haven’t been interested in over eating I’m less interested in binge watching Netflix and have gotten on my elliptical more often. I’m looking forward to moonwalking my way to my goal weight😂 Dr. Dan, I’ve read that there is a correlation on Ozempic lessening compulsive behaviors, I love to hear your thoughts/video.

[@theofficialdrdan]

I can certainly do a video discussing that. Great work by the way!

[@zahararay5611]

@@theofficialdrdan Thank you. Looking forward to it!

[@williamroberts6327]

Day 30, down 13.5 pounds. Staying at 0.25 for now. Mild to moderate side effects. Minor depression, glum feeling. 2-3 nights a week itching, occasional nausea all mild. Not sure how long I want to do this. B G morning numbers down too👍👍Day 34 down 15 pounds , Side effects down to mild this week.

[@zahararay5611]

@@williamroberts6327 wow! That’s great. I’m 4 weeks in 3 lbs down 😐. Better than nothing, but I’m not thrilled, considering how much less I’m eating. Just started .5. I ate at 11am, it’s now 7pm and still full AF😂. Let’s see… Congrats on your weight loss.

[@williamroberts6327]

@@zahararay5611 Thank you, 16 now.😁

[@chrisloredo3639]

Excellent video.

[@theofficialdrdan]

🥰

[@terrischofield4671]

I started Feb 24 now at 15 of Mounjaro. I’m 5’ 6” Lost from 190 to 150 as of 6/25/24 My boyfriend says I’m too skinny. Thats the first time in my life I’ve ever heard that 😂 I have 6 weeks left of injections and I’m going to see how I do. Thanks Dr for the information. I’ve been asking this question for months.

[@hunchofoxx]

Good stuff!

[@theofficialdrdan]

🥰

[@Iluvpaws_1]

“You are not a failure.” “You are not cheating.” Got that, Jillian Michaels?

[@cloakster]

As always, excellent topic and vid. 👌 You’re a gifted communicator… would be great to see you talking to an even broader segment of the obesity/T2D community. Have you considered going on other ppl’s shows, such as Man on the Mounjaro, the Plus SideZ, etc? 🤔

[@theofficialdrdan]

Would love to. I honestly haven't had the time to reach out and set something up!

[@cloakster]

@Dan Hmm… well I do interact with Dave K a bit (Man on the Monjauro). I’ll pass along that you’re interested. 👌 He’s a fun, outgoing guy and utter GLP-1 nerd… you two would likely be great on camera together. 🎥 I don’t know the Plus SideZ gals as well, but can suggest it to them too. Their show is very good as well.

[@MomOfSeven123]

Would a person's body continue to lose weight on tirzepatide such that the person reaches an "underweight" BMI if the person continues on the weekly dose that led them to their goal? Or do our bodies naturally stall once a healthy BMI is reached?

[@Sindiya]

Why is weight the target? How come they don't measure fat percentage loss? And muscle mass weight?

[@lasignoraluna2367]

true words, doc. 👍 and: You are the king of graphics and moving pictures 😆😆very entertaining!

[@theofficialdrdan]

Thank you lol

[@KatrinaTrys]

Exactly what i was looking for before i speak to my dr .. Would it be wise to use the same dosage but every other week?

[@ccartwright2348]

I'm on 15mg Mounjaro... on maintenance and I've spread out my doses 3 weeks (every 21 days). I will continue to monitor. If I can spread it out a month I will look at dropping this prescription. 21 days is working for me. No regain and I've been doing this since March 2023.

[@sasfiremaiden840]

Once my body became adjusted to the Wegovy. I only need one dosage per month...with no weight gain. It reset my metabolism.

[@fofo-4555]

Can you please update us, what happened with you did you gain weight back

[@ccartwright2348]

​@@fofo-4555 No weight gain. Lost 53 lb Sept 22-Feb 23. Been in maintenance for almost 11 months. So far so good.

[@mattiec7072]

Keep us updated PharmD here curious

[@Kate-wz4nd]

Do you experience any nausea waiting that long to take such a big dose?

[@hotlatte3230]

I think everyone's maintenance dose will be subjective to their own body and how it reacts. After I hit my goal body fat % my doctor and I are going back down a dose and so forth like you said 4 weeks so I can gain more muscle mass and get to where I want to be. I think finding that right dosing and spacing it out can keep it affordable and sustainable for myself.

[@K8Stuff]

What I'd love to know is - for the people in the trial that gained the weight back - did they gain the weight back despite having changed their lifestyle (i.e. calorie count / exercise etc.) ?

[@theofficialdrdan]

The thing is, the drug makes those changes much easier to implement. It corrects physiological abnormalities. When the drug is gone, those patterns become harder to maintain. 95% of people gain the weight back.

[@itsalljan]

So, I just started 2.4 Wegovy, but I have not met my goal yet. Should I be on 2.4? Or should I be on 1.7?

[@martheseciantar7177]

Is it good Healthwise to keep taking ozempic for years to keep the target weight? Thanks for the information you re giving us

[@theofficialdrdan]

Yup no issues!

[@andyklapper8484]

This is why I'm trying to keep my maximum dose as low as possible. Its actually a benefit of using a compounding pharmacy - I can adjust in increments between the pen doses that Ozempic comes in. I'm trying to eat better, I've always been an exercise freak so that was never my problem, with the goal of using this stuff to supercharge my weight loss program. Then I'll follow your advice and try to back down slowly and monitor how I'm doing till I'm either off the stuff entirely, or I'm down to a lower amount, though to be honest my amount is so low now that I suspect that getting off it entirely is not going to be a problem.

[@robertusga]

Friends don't let friends use compounded semaglutide. Compounders never reveal the source of their "semaglutide". A lot of them are using semaglutide salts which have not been tested in humans. Novo Nordisk is going after them for trademark infringement. I'm all about getting affordable drugs, but no fan of injecting "mystery juice".

[@toshagayle1]

Will you PLEASE make a video about all of the fear mongering around these medications? I’ve been on Wegovy for a year now & it’s changed my life. I haven’t had any issues thus far but there’s so much negative talk around this drug that it does start to make me paranoid sometimes.

[@theofficialdrdan]

I have reviewed all the side effects etc in detail! Check out my other vids!

[@bobb2426]

What is the max dose for Ozympic in a insulin syringe ? I have heard 40 and some say 60

[@theofficialdrdan]

Ozempic comes in a preloaded pen?

[@MemphisJones]

I was on Mounjaro at the 10mg dose and doing fine, then my coupon expired and it took me 3 months to get Wegovy. OMG that first shot almost killed me. I threw up so hard, I lost my nose ring. It's time to take the second dose and I'm scared 😳.

[@clarkkent7973]

I wished the Step 5 trial had gone longer instead of stopping at week 104 (4:29). Dr. Brian Yeung in his video "When Does Ozempic or Wegovy Stop Working?" argues that people start regaining their weight at week 68. What are you seeing in your patients? Do you have any Ozempic patients that have been taking the medication for longer than 104 weeks?

[@theofficialdrdan]

Yup. People can maintain their weight on the medication. But again obesity is chronic and progressive so weight regain is exp3cted.

[@sneauxone]

Is weight regain expected even when maintaining the dose, diet, and exercise?

[@Dancer810]

@@sneauxone If the individual is doing everything correctly and monitoring their diet and exercise, regaining weight should be minimal to none, depending on the person. Of course, this assumes that the person continues a maintenance dose of the medication.

[@kellytripp7755]

This makes a lot of sense, but the gastrointestinal issues are so bad on Wegovy that it's overwhelming to think about taking it long-term. Is there anything I can do to reduce diarrhea and nausea?

[@billydee1879]

What dose are you on?

[@Fusionw3]

in the research it does mention that these compounds work better for lighter individuals, couldn't that mean you dont need as much when maintaining?

[@theofficialdrdan]

I'd argue the research shows larger individuals get more benefit. But it would be more likely someone in a smaller body would probably need less to support weight loss overall and that lower dose they use can then just be their maintenance

[@mamatezkamau9182]

I stopped taking wegovey for 5 weeks and started up where I had left off at 2.4 doze and lord my headache are terrible , feeling sleepy and tired , weakness and nauseous. Should I have gone a dose down to 1.7 ? Feeling sick

[@theofficialdrdan]

You should have started back at 0.25mg

[@rdavis46]

Can’t even get on the starting dose of wegovy. Was prescribed it over a month ago but not in stock. It’s on back order. Seems to be issue with most doses. I even called several pharmacies and get the same answer. So until I able to get my wegovy I am gaining weight. Ugh. I was approved by my insurance for it but cant even find it. You mention that this is life long medication will the insurance continue to pay for it once you hit your target weight?

[@theofficialdrdan]

They should!

[@rdavis46]

@@theofficialdrdan I was at my pharmacy today and again they haven’t gotten it in been pushed again they were told end of January it is now Feb 7, 2024. I was prescribed it on Nov 29, 2023 so little over 2 months now. Wow! I need my wegovy!

[@robertusga]

Excellent. Can you throw in Mounjaro maintenance dose?

[@theofficialdrdan]

It would be the same principles!

[@dieseIboy]

and ozempic? @@theofficialdrdan

[@rha1978]

Is there no truth in saying that if you can stay in a weight for 2 years, the body is going to reset to the new weight..?

[@nadinegamal3704]

Can u take mounjaro with pregnancy?

[@theofficialdrdan]

Nope.

[@praxisfurnaturheilkunde5394]

Noch eine Frage: Glauben Sie, dass es bald möglich sein wird, Semaglutid anders aufzunehmen als subkutan?

[@theofficialdrdan]

We already have an oral version available rybelsus

[@Ungariansrock836]

How do we get our insurance companies to seriously consider this a necessary drug for obesity and should be covered?!

[@kb6605]

I am so happy to have found you! My doctor prescribed Wegovy and sent me on my merry way. So I try to learn from from you and people on semaglutide, here on yt. My challenge so far on 1 mg, is that my cravings for sugar is still a struggle. I feel full most of the time, and get full with less food than normal. But I crave sugar. And I am looking forward to every meal, and the food tastes good. I have lost 12 kilos which is lovely, I am just worried about the next 12, since my sugar cravings is a daily struggle. Any advice? Love from Norway!

[@theofficialdrdan]

Don't be overly restrictive. Enjoy the foods you love in moderation. Ensure you are eating enough protein and not in too great of a calorie deficit.

[@kb6605]

@@theofficialdrdan Thank you so much for great advice!

[@SHUB281]

I've been on wegovy for three weeks and it ain't doing shit

[@theofficialdrdan]

It's been 3 weeks. Patience, my friend.

[@SHUB281]

@@theofficialdrdan We'll see. I've been on Metformin, Qysmia,Phentimine and now this stuff. lol

[@praxisfurnaturheilkunde5394]

Hier in Deutschland wird es nicht möglich sein, für den Rest meines Lebens Wegovy zu bekommen. a) Ich musste meine Hausärztin mit allen Mitteln überreden. b) Ich werde es mir vermutlich nicht leisten können. Die Krankenkasse übernimmt die Kosten nicht.

[@theofficialdrdan]

Hopefully that will all change in the future!

[@billydee1879]

.25 did nothing for me.

[@theofficialdrdan]

Did you increase it?