April 15, 2025, 2:49 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
“Injecting instead of sweating” is becoming the weight-loss strategy for more and more celebrities. Among them is German music producer Ralph Siegel, who reportedly lost an impressive 79 pounds in just a few months thanks to the so-called weight-loss injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide (brand name: Wegovy). While the drug is undoubtedly effective for shedding pounds, its use should not be taken lightly. FITBOOK examines the current research on the subject.
Ralph Siegel has faced significant health challenges in recent years. His prostate cancer, first diagnosed in 2007, has led to recurring relapses over the years. Treatment with an innovative cancer drug is expected to have cured him by the end of 2024, as reported by “Bild” at the time. To this day, he suffers from polyneuropathy, a disease of the peripheral nervous system. His physical limitations have caused the 79-year-old to gain significant weight over the years, peaking at 134 kilograms. Since then, Siegel decided to take action, opting for the weight-loss solution that more and more celebrities are turning to. With Wegovy, he lost 36 kilos in three months, according to “Bild.” There is, of course, more to add to this.
Overview
What You Should Know About Wegovy and Co.
Wegovy, like the well-known Ozempic, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This prescription medication promotes insulin production and regulates sugar metabolism. Its hormonal effect curbs appetite and delays stomach emptying, leading to a longer feeling of fullness. Ozempic was originally developed specifically for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient—semaglutide—but in a higher dosage. It is specifically used for the treatment of obesity and can be used without existing diabetes.
Unlike Ozempic, which can be taken as a tablet or injection, Wegovy is only available as an injection. Ralph Siegel’s wife administered it to him once a week. After just a few weeks, he reported to “Bild” that he had lost eight kilos, and after three months, it was 4.5 times that amount. With such a potent drug as Wegovy, it wouldn’t be surprising if it comes with unwanted effects and risks.
Research on Ralph Siegel’s Weight-Loss Injection
Anyone with experience in weight loss attempts may be familiar with the notorious yo-yo effect. This refers to the phenomenon where lost pounds return after a seemingly successful diet when more calories are consumed again. The same applies to Wegovy and Ozempic, as FITBOOK learned in a conversation with Prof. Dr. Norbert Stefan from the University Hospital Tübingen. You can read the full interview (in German) here. According to the diabetologist, many patients treated with the weight-loss injection regained their original weight within a year of stopping the treatment. He points out that a fundamental lifestyle change is necessary for lasting treatment success. This includes targeted muscle building, as restricted nutrition during a Wegovy or Ozempic treatment leads to the loss of not only fat tissue but also muscle mass.
A recent study showed that patients who continuously took Wegovy—higher-dosed semaglutide—were able to maintain a weight loss of around 10 percent even after four years.1 This is a positive outcome, indicating that the weight-loss injection lives up to its name not just in the short term. However, this does not change the fact that users (like Ralph Siegel) must stick to the therapy to avoid jeopardizing their weight loss success. The study also found improvements in cardiovascular and various metabolic values.
Other Potential Benefits of Wegovy and Ozempic
The results of a 2023 study suggest that semaglutide can significantly reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in (severely) overweight users who do not have diabetes.2 Additionally, the researchers found an overall better metabolic health in the affected participants compared to a placebo group. Interestingly, the positive effects occurred independently of any weight changes.
Kidney function could also benefit from Wegovy or Ozempic. A study showed that GLP-1 receptor agonists slow the progression of existing kidney damage.3 The risk of kidney failure also decreased under treatment. The authors attribute this to improved blood sugar control through semaglutide. Additionally, an anti-inflammatory effect of the active ingredient could play a role, potentially qualifying it for the symptomatic treatment of various autoimmune diseases.
Further research suggests that semaglutide could be promising for the treatment of alcohol addiction.4 This could be related to the effect of the active ingredient on the brain’s reward system, which influences both eating behavior and alcohol consumption. However, it should be noted that these—albeit promising—results are currently based only on self-reports. Learn more about it here.
There Are Also Unwanted Side Effects
Potentially positive effects of medications do not exclude unwanted side effects. FITBOOK discusses here a study whose results suggest that the active ingredient semaglutide can promote the development of a rare and very severe eye disease called NAION.5 This can, in the worst case, lead to blindness.
Another study, reported by FITBOOK here, showed that the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists can increase the risk of aspiration during endoscopic examinations by about 33 percent.6 The reason: As previously described, these medications slow stomach emptying. As a result, even with prolonged fasting before the procedure, stomach contents may still be present, which can enter the lungs during endoscopy and lead to so-called aspiration pneumonia. This is a dangerous lung infection caused by inhaling foreign objects or fluids from the mouth or stomach.
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Conclusion
Medications like Wegovy and Ozempic deeply interfere with hormonal regulatory circuits. They can have severe side effects. Nevertheless, studies and the experiences of many users show that the treatment can effectively contribute to weight reduction in cases of severe obesity. Additionally, the therapy seems to have positive effects on various health parameters beyond body weight.
In summary, the use of the weight-loss injection should be well-considered. Especially since it is a long-term therapy—trying it for a while, losing weight, and then stopping the medication is not an option. Intensive medical supervision is absolutely necessary, as is an accompanying lifestyle adjustment in every case.