Patient results and clinical dataWhat the research actually shows. Not what we wish it showed.
GLP-1 medicines are among the most studied weight-loss treatments ever. Here are the published trial numbers, how much they varied from person to person, and what they could mean at your weight. No cherry-picked stories.
See what the averages would mean for your weight.
How many people in the trial lost at least:
Math on published averages, not a prediction for you. The trials used brand-name medicine; compounded versions aren’t FDA-approved and results may differ.
What clinical trials show
Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide, by the published numbers.
Average weight lost in the two largest trials, counting everyone who started, including people who stopped early. These aren’t Bold You patient results or a promise of yours.
STEP-1 · NEJM 2021 · 68 weeks
Semaglutide 2.4 mg
Average loss among everyone who started. People who stayed on the medicine lost more on average.
SURMOUNT-1 · NEJM 2022 · 72 weeks
Tirzepatide 15 mg
Highest dose, counting everyone who started. Among people who stayed on the highest dose, the average was 22.5%, the figure you'll often see quoted.
Sources: Wilding et al., NEJM 2021 (STEP-1); Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022 (SURMOUNT-1). Bars scaled to 25%.
The documented trajectory
What to expect, month by month.
This follows the general pattern seen across GLP-1 trials. It isn’t a guarantee for your body; your provider adjusts your plan as you go.
- Weeks 1–4
Titration
You start on a low dose that goes up step by step. Appetite changes often come first; weight change is usually modest.
- Weeks 4–16
Active response
In the trials, this is where average weight loss was steepest. Side effects are most common around dose increases.
- Months 4–12
Continued progress
Loss continues more slowly, and people's results spread out more over time.
- Months 15–18
Plateau and maintenance
Weight levelled off near the end of the trials. A maintenance plan decides what happens next.
Beyond the scale
What clinical literature says about the broader effects.
Weight is the headline in most trials, but researchers measured much more.
Appetite and "food noise"
Many people describe thinking about food less and finding portions easier, often within the first couple of weeks.
Metabolic markers
In people with high blood sugar, A1C usually improved along with weight, especially in diabetes trials.
Body composition
Weight lost includes some muscle. Enough protein and strength training help protect it.
Regain after stopping
In STEP-4 (JAMA 2021) and SURMOUNT-4 (JAMA 2024), people switched to placebo regained a meaningful share within about a year.
Individual variation
Some people in the trials lost far more than average, some far less. That spread is normal.
Heart and metabolic health
Trials also tracked blood pressure and cholesterol, which often improved alongside weight.
Real patients
Real patient results. Told by real patients.
We’d rather show you nothing than something we can’t verify. As Bold You members finish their programs and agree to share their stories, they’ll appear here, verified and unedited.
Why this page looks different than most.
Most weight-loss sites lead with before-and-after photos and testimonials, with names and numbers you can’t check. We took ours down because we couldn’t verify every detail. Instead you get the published research, a realistic timeline, and a calculator built only on public averages. Members who finish their programs can choose to share their results through their patient portal; it’s always voluntary.
Questions about what to realistically expect
Straight answers. If your question isn’t here, our care team will answer it.
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