GLP-1 reviews: what do users say?

What do users say about starting GLP-1?

Almost all people starting out mention the same first effect: calm in their head around food. The constant thinking about the next meal disappears and a smaller portion suddenly feels natural. For many people that is a revelation, especially after years in which diets were started but never stuck. You can read why getting stuck like that is so recognisable in our article on why you're not losing weight.

A striking number of women going through menopause recognise this pattern: weight that creeps on despite eating healthily and no longer responds to anything. At Qlinic we usually see the first effect of a treatment after about 4 weeks, and it's precisely the disappearance of that feeling of hunger that makes the difference. You can read more medical weight loss reviews from our own clients on our success stories page.

How fast can you lose weight with GLP-1?

Users of semaglutide 2.4 mg lost an average of almost 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks, according to the large STEP 1 trial in The New England Journal of Medicine. The participants combined the medication with support on diet and exercise, exactly the way a medical treatment should work.

For most users the first kilos disappear in the first 4 to 8 weeks, after which the pace gradually levels off. An important caveat: these are averages, not a promise. A small proportion of users barely respond to the medication, and that is also part of a realistic picture.

Before and after: what do you notice per month?

If you search for weight loss before and after, you mainly see final photos, but the course in between is more predictable than you might think: first the hunger disappears, only then do the kilos follow.

Based on averages from clinical research (STEP 1). Your course may differ; this is not a guarantee.

Experiences with side effects and how supervision helps

Nausea is the most commonly reported side effect, especially in the first weeks and after a dose increase. In the STEP 1 trial, gastrointestinal complaints were by far the most common, usually mild to moderate and temporary. This is how users and doctors deal with them:

Serious side effects are rare, but they do exist. So always read the patient information leaflet and contact your doctor straight away if you have persistent or severe symptoms. You'll find a full overview in our article on GLP-1 side effects.

At Qlinic you have one regular BIG-registered doctor (the BIG register is the Dutch register of healthcare professionals), who you speak to every 4 weeks. Especially with side effects, that supervision makes the difference between giving up and keeping going.

Tried everything and still not losing weight? Our regular BIG-registered doctor personally assesses whether medical weight loss suits your situation. Take the eligibility check →

Weight loss with injections: how users experience injecting

The fear of injecting disappears for almost everyone after the first time. The needle is thin and short, you inject into your abdomen or thigh, and with semaglutide and tirzepatide you only need to do it once a week. Only liraglutide requires a daily injection.

If you look up weight loss injection reviews, you'll therefore read the same conclusion strikingly often: the injecting itself is no big deal, the change in appetite is what carries the treatment. You can read what such a treatment looks like with us step by step, from intake to home delivery, on the page about medical weight loss with injections.

How long do you use GLP-1 and what happens when you stop?

You decide together with your doctor how long you use GLP-1; there is no fixed end date. Severe overweight behaves like a chronic condition, and you see that as soon as the medication stops. Research among STEP 1 participants shows that within a year of stopping, they regained on average two thirds of the weight they had lost.

Users describe that above all the feeling of hunger comes back. So stopping is not simply a matter of taking the last injection, but of tapering off with a plan: supervision, diet and exercise take over what the medication did at first. That's why at Qlinic you discuss stopping or tapering off with our regular BIG-registered doctor, during the follow-up that takes place every 4 weeks.

Is GLP-1 reliable? Our doctors explain

Yes, GLP-1 medication is reliable when you use a registered medicine, on prescription and through a registered pharmacy. The College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (the Medicines Evaluation Board, the Dutch medicines regulator) explains how these weight loss medicines work and at the same time explicitly warns: never buy them online without a prescription, because then you don't know what you're actually taking.

A doctor assesses beforehand whether the medication suits you, looks at your health and your other medicines, and monitors you during use. That is also how a medical weight loss treatment works with us: you start with an intake with our regular BIG-registered doctor and the medication is delivered to your home. We have now helped around 50 clients, who give us an average of 5.0 on Google across more than 20 reviews.

Wondering whether GLP-1 could make the difference for you too? Do the eligibility check and find out whether a medical weight loss treatment with our own doctor suits you. Take the eligibility check →

Frequently asked questions about GLP-1 reviews and experiences

How fast can you lose weight with GLP-1?

Most users lose the first kilos within 4 to 8 weeks. In clinical research, participants on semaglutide lost an average of almost 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks. The pace varies from person to person and levels off over time.

Is GLP-1 reliable?

Yes, registered GLP-1 medicines have been extensively studied and approved by the European and Dutch medicines authorities. The condition is that you use them on prescription and under the supervision of a doctor. Never buy GLP-1 online without a prescription: you don't know what you'll get.

How long can you use GLP-1?

There is no fixed maximum duration; your doctor periodically assesses whether continuing is useful and responsible. Because severe overweight is a chronic condition, many people use the medication for a longer period. Stopping or pausing is always done in consultation, with a tapering plan.

Why do you lose weight on GLP-1?

GLP-1 medication mimics a gut hormone that your body makes itself. As a result your stomach empties more slowly, you feel full sooner and your appetite decreases. Without noticing, you eat fewer calories and therefore lose weight, especially in combination with healthier food and more exercise.

Are there also GLP-1 pills?

Yes, semaglutide also exists as a tablet (Rybelsus), which in the Netherlands is mainly used for type 2 diabetes. For weight loss, doctors usually prescribe injections. Supplements sold as GLP-1 pills or capsules are not medicines and their effect has not been proven.