Wegovy® for Weight Management: A Doctor’s Perspective from AOKLINIK Penang

By Dr. Kamen Ng, Senior Medical Officer & Aesthetic Physician

AOKLINIK Penang, Weight Management Division

Introduction

As a practicing physician at AOKLINIK Penang, I have seen firsthand how obesity is more than a cosmetic issue—it is a chronic, multifactorial medical condition with significant metabolic, cardiovascular, hormonal, and psychosocial implications. Over the years, many patients have come to us after struggling with traditional weight loss methods. For them, newer pharmacotherapies like Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg) offer a valuable adjunct to lifestyle changes and medical supervision.

Wegovy represents a paradigm shift in how we approach obesity—not just as a matter of willpower, but as a disease process that deserves proper, structured medical treatment.

The Science Behind Wegovy®

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which plays a role in:

• Regulating appetite via the hypothalamus

• Delaying gastric emptying (prolonging satiety)

• Improving insulin sensitivity

• Lowering postprandial glucose and insulin levels

In clinical trials (notably the STEP series), patients on Wegovy lost 15% or more of their baseline body weight over 68 weeks, outperforming all other anti-obesity medications available to date.

How We Use Semaglutide at AOKLINIK

While Wegovy (2.4 mg) is not yet widely accessible in Malaysia, we do prescribe Ozempic® (semaglutide 0.25–1.0 mg) in selected patients for weight loss. The key is individualisation—ensuring that pharmacotherapy is safe, ethical, and tailored to each patient's medical background.

At AOKLINIK, our treatment process always includes:

• Baseline body composition analysis (InBody BCA)

• Visceral fat assessment

• Metabolic blood panels

• Dietary and activity review

• Longevity screening when indicated (genetics, hormones, inflammation markers)

If Wegovy (or higher-dose semaglutide) is clinically justified, we initiate low and titrate up slowly, monitoring for side effects such as nausea, bloating, and constipation. In most cases, these are transient and manageable.

My Observations in Practice

1. Not a Quick Fix—But a Serious Medical Tool

Wegovy is not a replacement for lifestyle change. However, for many patients, it can remove the physical and neurological barriers to adhering to better habits. It “turns down the noise” of food cravings and helps restore a sense of control.

2. Ideal for Metabolic Syndrome Patients

Those with insulin resistance, PCOS, fatty liver, or early type 2 diabetes benefit the most. Weight loss with semaglutide tends to correlate with improvements in:

• HbA1c

• ALT (liver enzymes)

• Triglycerides

• Waist circumference

3. Requires Monitoring and Medical Stewardship

This is not a “beauty clinic” injectable. It is a hormone therapy with potential risks: thyroid nodules, pancreatitis, and hypoglycaemia (if co-administered with diabetic meds). Our clinic does routine neck exams, blood workups, and follow-ups every 2–4 weeks to ensure safety.

Clinical Caution: Ozempic ≠ Wegovy

There’s a tendency for patients to assume Ozempic (used for diabetes) and Wegovy (approved for obesity) are interchangeable. While they contain the same molecule (semaglutide), the dosing protocols and titration regimens differ. In fact, using diabetic-dose Ozempic for weight loss without proper titration and medical oversight can be ineffective or even dangerous.

At AOKLINIK, we do not support unsupervised online purchases or off-label usage without clinical assessment. We explain to our patients that long-term success stems from:

• Commitment to follow-up

• Understanding how the medication works

• Integrating nutrition, exercise, and behavioral change

Looking Ahead

As obesity rates rise in Malaysia, we need more comprehensive solutions rooted in evidence-based medicine. I believe Wegovy, when used judiciously, offers a powerful tool to shift the trajectory of weight-related diseases. However, the real transformation happens when patients are empowered—through education, medical partnership, and sustainable lifestyle redesign.

Final Thoughts

At AOKLINIK Penang, our mission is not just weight loss—but weight mastery with a focus on visceral fat reduction, longevity, and healthspan extension. Medications like Wegovy can play a role, but they must be integrated into a structured and safe medical protocol.

If you are considering GLP-1 therapies, we invite you to book a consultation. We’ll guide you through the science, assess your suitability, and provide a comprehensive management plan tailored to your body, biology, and goals.