Questions to Ask Before Going on Wegovy or Ozempic

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Ozempic are getting a lot of attention right now. For some people, they may play a role in managing health conditions. But they’re also being widely promoted as a weight-loss solution - often without a full picture of the potential risks, limitations, and trade-offs.

In my work as a clinical psychologist specialising in body image and eating disorder treatment, I’ve personally seen a number of concerning patterns emerge since these medications have been introduced in New Zealand, including:

• People experiencing significant gastrointestinal side effects

• A return (or worsening) of eating disorder thoughts and behaviours

• Rapid weight regain after stopping the medication

• Confusion or mixed messaging about how long the medication needs to be taken for

• In some cases, prescriptions being given where there are clear eating disorder risk factors.

(All examples are de-identified and shared to highlight broader patterns, not individual cases.)

If you’re considering starting a GLP-1, it’s worth slowing down and asking some thoughtful questions, both of yourself and your healthcare provider, before making an informed decision.

First, Some Questions for Yourself

1. “What am I hoping this will fix?”

It’s easy to focus on body weight as the “problem”, but often the hoped-for outcomes are deeper: People may seek out GLP-1 medication as an answer to things like: low self-confidence or self-esteem, feeling unaccepted, experiencing shame or self-criticism, or concerns about health or energy levels.

Yes, GLP-1s may influence body weight. But they won’t directly address body image distress, self-worth, or your relationship with food. If those are part of the picture, they deserve care and attention in their own right.

2. “Where is this desire coming from?”

Is this decision being driven by:

• Evidence-based medical advice based on your health needs?

• Internal discomfort in your body?

• External pressures (social media, comments, stigma)?

We live in a culture that strongly equates thinness with worth and health. That doesn’t mean your desire is invalid, but it’s worth understanding the context it’s coming from.

3. “What is my history with dieting or disordered eating?”

This is a big one. If you’ve experienced restrictive eating, binge eating, cycles of weight loss and regain, and/or preoccupation with food or weight, then it’s important to consider how a medication that suppresses appetite might interact with that.

For some, it can feel like relief initially. But it may also reinforce patterns of disconnection from hunger, fullness, and trust in the body.

4. “What happens if I stop taking it?”

Research shows that many people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. So it’s worth asking:

• “Am I prepared for this to be a long-term or indefinite treatment?”

• “How would I cope, practically and emotionally, with weight regain?”

5. “At what point would the costs outweigh the benefits for me?”

It’s easy to focus on the hoped-for positives, but it’s just as important to think about your personal limits. You might consider:

• “If I experienced short-term or ongoing side effects, how would I feel about continuing?”

• “If the weight or health changes weren’t as significant as I’d hoped, would it still feel worth it?”

• “How would I respond if new information emerged about risks or long-term effects?”

• “What financial or emotional cost am I willing (or not willing) to carry over time?”

Having clarity on this before starting can help you stay grounded in your values, especially if things don’t go exactly as expected.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

1. “Is this appropriate for me, given my full history?”

Be open about eating behaviours, body image concerns, and mental health history. Not all providers will ask about these, but they are highly relevant.

2. “What are the potential side effects and risks?”

Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. There are also less common but more serious risks. Ask for a clear, balanced explanation, not just a quick overview.

3. “What outcomes can I realistically expect?”

Rather than focusing only on weight, ask:

• “What health markers might change?”

• “How sustainable are these changes?”

• “What happens long-term?”

This helps shift the conversation from “quick results” to overall wellbeing.

4. “What is the plan for stopping or continuing?”

Is this intended as a short-term intervention? Or long-term treatment? What support will be in place if you stop?

If your health provider suggests you should be able to maintain the weight loss simply with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, request them to reference the scientific studies that show this is to be be effective.

5. “What other supports should be in place alongside this?”

Medication alone rarely addresses the full picture.

You might ask about:

• Nutritional support

• Psychological support

• Addressing body image and relationship with food

This is especially important if eating or body concerns have been part of your history.

A Final Thought

GLP-1s are often presented as a simple solution. But your relationship with your body, your health, and your sense of self is not simple and it deserves more than a one-dimensional approach.

You’re allowed to ask questions, to take your time deciding what is best for you, and to be fully informed of the current scientific knowledge regarding GLP-1s.

If you’re considering taking a medication like Wegovy or Ozempic and want space to think it through more carefully, you’re very welcome to book in for a psychology consultation.