5 Important Facts About Semaglutide

You can’t open your phone without seeing a new article about semaglutide — and for good reason. This powerful glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication has helped countless people lose weight that diet and exercise alone couldn’t budge.

Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and other semaglutide options are gaining popularity. If you’re interested in trying it, understanding how these treatments actually affect your daily life helps you know what to expect. 

At El Cajon Weight Clinic in El Cajon, California, James Joachim, MD, and our team help patients navigate semaglutide treatment with realistic expectations about what to expect. Here are 5 important facts to help you prepare.

1. Your appetite changes happen at the brain level

Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that your intestines naturally release after eating. This hormone signals your brain that you’ve had enough food. Taking semaglutide amplifies this natural fullness signal.

The reduced appetite you experience comes from your brain genuinely receiving stronger signals that you’re satisfied. You might find yourself feeling satisfied after much smaller portions than usual. This biological change explains why food that used to seem appealing may suddenly hold little interest.

2. Food moves through your system more slowly

Semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, extending the time you feel full after eating. This delayed gastric emptying can last several hours longer than normal, especially if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

You stay satisfied between meals for much longer periods. The downside is that eating too much at once can leave you feeling uncomfortably full for hours. Large portions that you could handle before treatment may now cause nausea or discomfort that lingers. 

This slower digestion also means you need to adjust the timing of other medications if you take pills that require absorption on an empty stomach.

3. Smaller meals can ease uncomfortable side effects

Your eating patterns need to change along with your reduced appetite. Smaller, more frequent meals work better than trying to eat normal-sized portions less often. Focus on protein-rich foods first during meals since you’ll feel full quickly.

Avoid drinking large amounts of liquid with meals, as this can make you feel overly full and potentially cause nausea. Save beverages for between meals when possible. Carbonated drinks are particularly uncomfortable during treatment. Eating bland foods, such as crackers or toast, helps manage any lingering nausea between doses.

4. Nausea subsides after a few weeks

Nearly everyone experiences some gastrointestinal effects when starting semaglutide, but nausea usually peaks during the first few weeks and gradually improves as your body adjusts to the medication.

The side effects are dose-related, which is why treatment starts with a low dose and gradually increases over several weeks. Most people find that staying at a lower dose longer helps minimize discomfort. 

Eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty foods initially, and taking the medication at the same time each week can help reduce side effects.

5. Rapid weight loss slows down after a few months

Semaglutide works most dramatically in the first few months, then weight loss typically slows down. This doesn’t mean the medication has stopped working. Your body adapts to the medication over time, and the initial rapid loss includes water weight.

During plateau periods, the medication’s main benefit shifts to helping you maintain your new weight rather than continuing to lose. This appetite regulation makes it easier to stick to healthier eating patterns in the long term without constant battles against hunger.

Understanding these aspects of semaglutide treatment helps you prepare for realistic expectations and develop strategies that work with how the medication affects your body.

At El Cajon Weight Clinic, we help patients develop sustainable eating patterns and manage expectations while taking semaglutide. Call our El Cajon office at 619-440-8171 or schedule online to discuss how semaglutide, or another GLP-1 like tirzepatide, might fit into your overall health strategy.