Starting off on weight loss injectables and looking for education

[Anonymous]

My doctor basically said "you are overweight, have pre-diabetes, and here's Saxenda" and "see you in three months." This doesn't seem sufficient.

I would like some advice on
1) what injections I should be taking (why Saxenda when WeGovy is more effective?), and
2) education for weight loss injectables approach, e.g. it's only through reading I understanding getting proper nutrition may be challenging; some say I need 100 grams of protein a day
3) education for pre-diabetes. I had this with my gestation diabetes years ago and it was critical to helping me make good decisions.

I am doing my own research but there's a LOT out there. Any ideas on who or what to help guide me? Specific websites, podcasts, or doctors or programs who do teleheath? I have great insurance

[Anonymous]

PS - I am overseas, so there are avaiability and cultural issues involved. In other words, this isn't as simple as "get a new doctor."

Also, Ozempic (but no WeGovy) is availabe. Zepbound isn't available.

[Anonymous]

Or maybe Saxenda is best because I will avoid sagging skin? I am only on week 3 but I've lost 5-10 lbs. already.

[Anonymous]

I would say that drinking a lot of water increases the fullness feeling much more than eating any particular amount of protein/fat. Try drinking 2 cups of cold water before each of your 3 meals. It really sped up my weight loss on Wegovy.

[Anonymous]

More searching, and seeing this "I get Wegovy through a weight loss clinic that offers a nutritionist and behavioral therapist, and very basic fitness advice that emphasizes the need for strength training. "

Where do i find a good one of these online?

[Anonymous]

The best approach is find a weight loss specialist, endocrinologist or primary care who advertises weight loss help on their site. They can run a full bloo panel for you to be sure you are a good candidate. There are some great ones in McLean, arlington, bethesda. That's what mine did! Then we talked about options and i chose compounded tirzepatide versus full price Zepbound. I like it more because i can choose my dose. Remember, big pharma has a vested interest in feeding you the biggest dose! I started at 2.5 mg which is the starting dose and the official dose would have meant moving to 5 mg after. Instead i moved to 3, then 3.5! And I have lost 35 lbs. You wouldnt have known it to look at me but i was obese and pre diabetic !! This medicine saved my life. I used two vials from my doctor and then switched to an online health provider. If you want one with a nutritionist and more you choose Fridays or Henry meds or a few of those. I chose SLim Down RX because you just order and are done!!! I don't need more info, I have my primary care doctor if i have questions. My approach has been really solid, I have been going for 16 weeks and have had VERY few side effects. Drink tons and tons of water, eat very small meals with 30 g of protein EACH TIME, use nutrition bars and premier life protein shakes, take LOTS of fiber daily (I use psyllium capsules and fiber gummies), drink lots of electrolytes, I track my calories so I am ALWAYS eating a calorie deficit (1400 calories for me); I was 1 hr each morning on the treadmill before my kids get up and I lift heavy 3x week. I'm working my ass off and it's worth it!!!! No nausea, no weird things happening, was constipated ONE TIME and easily handled. I am SO happy all my hard work finallly has results!! If you like saxenda stay on it and if you don't you have options! Comppunded tirzepatide could be banned by the FDA in the coming WEEK so be careful if you choose that route. GOOD LUCK! Dont listen to the liars and BSers people who lose weight always look a little more aged and that's OK, it's better to be less fat and thats ok! ALL your health metrics will improve and Reddit and YouTube are full of people like me who were already well muscled and healthy other than BMI and weight who got OFF of it successfully, it doesn't have to be for life! Just educate yourself and be smart! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More searching, and seeing this "I get Wegovy through a weight loss clinic that offers a nutritionist and behavioral therapist, and very basic fitness advice that emphasizes the need for strength training. "

Where do i find a good one of these online?

I use Form Health for Zepbound. The doctor that I see was fairly conservative, and it took me a several months to get to injectables. https://www.formhealth.co/

[Anonymous]

I actually left my doctor's office with the tirzepatide once she checked my bloodwork. I got so comfortable with it I can fully navigate it on my own. She's going to check my bloodwork in three months and I feel very empowered and hopeful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or maybe Saxenda is best because I will avoid sagging skin? I am only on week 3 but I've lost 5-10 lbs. already.

There is a big difference between 5 and 10 lbs. 5 lbs in 3 weeks is okay, 10 lbs is too fast. You may need to reduce the dose.

Seeing the doctor only in 3 months seems like not a great idea. I went for monthly inBody scans in the beginning and blood work after 2 months to make sure there weren't issues. You also need to move up the dose slowly - I went from .25 (on ozempic) to .5 after 1 month but then stuck with .5 for several months before moving to 1.

[Anonymous]

Yes agree- same here. Because i am using compounding I can go up very slowly. Many mounjaro or zepbound patients start at 2.5 and quickly move up to 5, 7.5, 10 to max. I went up super slowly from 2.5 to 3.5 and am losing 1-2 lbs/week give or take.

[Anonymous]

I have been on Henry's meds since April and nothing has changed. Go to a real doc and get real meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or maybe Saxenda is best because I will avoid sagging skin? I am only on week 3 but I've lost 5-10 lbs. already.

There is a big difference between 5 and 10 lbs. 5 lbs in 3 weeks is okay, 10 lbs is too fast. You may need to reduce the dose.

Seeing the doctor only in 3 months seems like not a great idea. I went for monthly inBody scans in the beginning and blood work after 2 months to make sure there weren't issues. You also need to move up the dose slowly - I went from .25 (on ozempic) to .5 after 1 month but then stuck with .5 for several months before moving to 1.

Thanks all. To clarify, the bloodwork Im told, and believe, warrents Saxenda and weight loss. I'm on it. but I don't know why this med and not others, am not supposed to do blood work until 3 months, no scans, no advice -where can I get this? Any remote doctors or educators providers that you can suggest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been on Henry's meds since April and nothing has changed. Go to a real doc and get real meds.

I've used OrderlyMeds, compound GLP 1 and have lost 25 pounds since June. I only got to 1mg dosing, but started loosing weight immediately. Now I'm titrating down. I went slow and steady, and when I was hungry I just ate less of my normal meals. I didn't focus on protein, but I was able to make good choices, as my sweet tooth went away. I've had a glass of wine here and there, but no real desire to drink either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say that drinking a lot of water increases the fullness feeling much more than eating any particular amount of protein/fat. Try drinking 2 cups of cold water before each of your 3 meals. It really sped up my weight loss on Wegovy.

This is eating disorder behavior.

[Anonymous]

My weight loss management doctor requires new patients to meet with a nutritionist. Could you ask for a recommendation? My insurance does not charge a copay for appointments with a nutritionist and sounds like you also have good insurance.