Obesity is not just about weight; it is a disease affecting more than 250 million people in India, and this number is projected to double by 2030. But obesity never comes alone. It is linked to more than 230 comorbidities, including mobility disorders, infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders and cancer. This makes obesity far more than a lifestyle issue—it is a life-threatening condition that demands urgent attention.
Globally, multiple interventions are now available—from lifestyle programmes and surgical options to new pharmacological treatments. Wegovy, the GLP-1 injection for weight loss, is now seen as the affordable choice in medical weight management. With the recent price set at 02,583 per week in India, Wegovy is becoming more accessible. It is no longer limited to elite consumers, thereby making medically supervised weight loss available to more people. Since its international launch in 2021, and with India now on board, it has become a common topic in weight-loss discussions. However, popularity often brings myths, and it is important to clarify. Five leading specialists in weight management share their perspective surrounding this much-talked-about molecule with insights that highlight its promise, challenges and future in obesity care.
Wegovy suppresses hunger
Expert take: Dr Om Lakahni, endocrinologist, Gujarat
Think of Wegovy as a mindful eating coach in a syringe. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is a natural protein with 94 per cent similarity to the GLP-1 hormone your body already makes. In India, where naturopathy/natural solutions are often spoken about, it is striking to note that GLP-1 itself is a hormone produced in the gut—Wegovy simply amplifies what nature designed. By mimicking this hormone, semaglutide helps suppress signals that drive hunger, allowing you to feel full faster and crave less suga.
What makes it powerful is that it works in the gut—slowing digestion and signalling satiety—and in the central nervous system, helping the brain recognise fullness. The result? Wegovy doesn’t silence food thoughts completely; it just turns down the volume, making them easier to manage. With this balance, calorie intake can drop by up to 40 per cent, giving people a natural, science-backed way to reset their relationship with food.
Diet and exercise offer good weight loss, but....
Expert take: Dr Sonali Patange, diabetologist, Mumbai
Imagine wearing sneakers but never walking. Lifestyle changes can take you on a part of the journey, but Wegovy or an injectable semaglutide accelerates the stride.
While diet and exercise typically lead to three to five per cent weight loss, research shows that this level often does not deliver meaningful metabolic benefits. The real turning point happens at higher thresholds:
❖ 5 per cent weight loss → improves blood sugar control and reduces risk of type 2 diabetes progression
❖ 10 per cent weight loss → lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol and reduces cardiovascular risk
❖ 15 per cent weight loss → can significantly reduce complications like fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea and joint stress
❖ 20 per cent weight loss → offers transformative benefits, including remission of type 2 diabetes in some cases, reversal of advanced fatty liver disease and a dramatic reduction in long-term heart complications and polycystic ovarian disease control.
And, Wegovy brings more to the table:
❖ 1 in 3 patients achieves ≥20 per cent weight loss (STEP trials)
❖ 6-inch reduction in waist circumference on average, improving cardiometabolic risk
❖ 20 per cent reduction in major heart events, including heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death
❖ Weight loss starting as early as four weeks, giving early motivation and visible progress
❖ Sustained weight loss for up to four years, proving it is not just short-term change but durable transformation
It won’t replace healthy habits, but it makes those habits finally work. When combined with mindful eating and regular movement, we see steady, long-term weight loss that once felt out of reach.
Beyond weight loss A metabolic transformation
Expert take: Dr Arun Kochar, cardiologist, Mohali
Everyone talks about weight loss, but the real story is what happens inside the body. With Wegovy, it is not just about shedding pounds; it is about a metabolic transformation via weight.
Heart health: In the landmark SELECT trial, Wegovy cut the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke by 20 per cent. Real-world data echoes this, showing up to a 57 per cent lower cardiovascular risk among semaglutide users.
Liver health: 63 per cent of adults taking Wegovy achieved reduced MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis) and no worsening of liver scarring. In some studies, 37 per cent of people on Wegovy improved their liver health.
Women’s health: For women, the impact is even more profound. Abdominal obesity places a heavy burden, especially in India where up to 70 per cent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Wegovy has shown benefits in weight reduction, improved insulin resistance, menstrual regularity and fertility outcomes.
General side effects people may experience while on Wegovy
Expert take: Dr Sailesh Lodha, endocrinologist, Jaipur
Wegovy has demonstrated strong long‑term safety data, showing that about 95 per cent of patients tolerate it well, with only a small proportion experiencing mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain, which usually improve as the body adjusts. Like type 2 diabetes, obesity is a chronic condition requiring sustained treatment, and Wegovy’s safety profile aligns with therapies used for other chronic diseases.
Because every patient’s health situation is unique, it is essential to talk to your doctor whether Wegovy is appropriate for you and to review long-term safety considerations in the context of one’s personal medical history.
Overall, for most patients, Wegovy delivers profound outcomes: transformative weight loss, reduced cardiovascular risk, improved diabetes control and better overall quality of life. For most patients, the benefits far outweigh the risks, making Wegovy a powerful tool in the fight against obesity and its complications.
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The bigger picture
Expert take: Dr Lakshmi Nagendra, endocrinologist, Mysuru
With Wegovy, the quality of weight loss matters. Research shows that about 85 per cent of the weight lost is fat mass, not muscle. This distinction is crucial: it means patients are not only lighter, but also healthier and stronger. The SEMALEAN study highlighted that patients preserved lean muscle and even improved strength, with handgrip gains. In other words, semaglutide supports function and vitality, not frailty.
The essence of a ‘treat-to-target’ approach is focusing not just on BMI reduction, but on meaningful outcomes like waist-to-height ratio, women’s health and overall quality of life. Wegovy helps achieve more than weight reduction. It is about gaining health, energy and confidence.
Convenience matters, too. The pen is designed for confidence and comfort:
❖ Balanced grip: Slightly heavier design provides a stable, well-balanced feel, reducing the risk of slips during injection.
❖ Ergonomic shape: Designed for comfortable handling, even for patients with limited dexterity
❖ One-step, ready-to-use: Pre-filled, single-use pen eliminates complexity—one time priming is needed
❖ Storage: Shelf-life after the first dose is six weeks
❖ NovoFine Plus needle: World’s finest needle, the NovoFine Plus 32G 4mm comes free with Wegovy and has the hallmark of nil or minimum discomfort.
Final takeaway
Wegovy isn’t just another product—it is an innovative medical solution proven to support long-term weight management. It is a science-backed advancement that must be taken under the strict guidance of a doctor. And thanks to the FlexTouch injection device, treatment is designed to be simple, discreet and user-friendly, making it easier for patients to stay consistent.
Recently, there has been some media coverage around NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy). Importantly, the WHO has noted that no causal link has been firmly established. Emerging research even suggests that semaglutide may reduce the risk of NAION in people with type 2 diabetes.
When used responsibly under medical supervision, Wegovy can reshape not only your body but your entire health trajectory, from reducing complications to improving quality of life.