How long until you see the scale move

The honest weight-loss timeline on GLP-1 — by week, with the milestones doctors actually watch for.

Week 1–2: nothing dramatic

You may lose 0.5–1 kg, but it's mostly water as your eating drops. Don't measure success this early — the medication is just titrating up.

Week 4: appetite shift

By the first dose increase, most patients report that food noise has dropped. Weight loss starts running 0.5–1 kg per week.

Month 3: the first verdict

Trial data show patients losing 5–7% of starting weight by 12 weeks. If you've lost less than 3%, your doctor will reassess — sometimes a dose step, sometimes a different molecule.

Month 6: the trajectory is clear

Average 10–12% loss by 6 months on semaglutide; 14–16% on tirzepatide. This is when most people decide whether to continue, maintain, or step down.