Anyone use weight loss drugs for just a few pounds?

[Anonymous]

I'm on Wegovy. My doctor suggested it due to my BMI -- which was 34 when I started the med. I've lost 40lbs since April. It works.

But I would never take this drug for a 10-15 pound loss. For two reasons. 1) The side effects are nothing short of horrific. I've had: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation (bad enough to land me in urgent care -- you don't know humiliating until someone has to remove an impaction from you), blurry vision, fatigue so bad I almost quit the drug because I couldn't function well at work, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and sleep disturbance/bad dreams. I've powered through -- but only because if I want to continue to live, and to live well, I need to fight this obesity. 2) My doctor says (although admittedly I don't think there is a standard of care settled regarding this yet), that I will be on it for life, and that the research is pretty clear than when most people go off of the drug they gain the weight right back, and then some (which shouldn't be surprising, this is the case with virtually any diet, medication-induced or not).

So for 15 pounds -- I think semaglutide is a very bad idea. And I can guarantee my doctor would not prescribe it for you as she would also think it was a horrible and unsafe idea. But if you are going to a med spa that makes money from everyone they push it on, they might not tell you that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm on Wegovy. My doctor suggested it due to my BMI -- which was 34 when I started the med. I've lost 40lbs since April. It works.

But I would never take this drug for a 10-15 pound loss. For two reasons. 1) The side effects are nothing short of horrific. I've had: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation (bad enough to land me in urgent care -- you don't know humiliating until someone has to remove an impaction from you), blurry vision, fatigue so bad I almost quit the drug because I couldn't function well at work, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and sleep disturbance/bad dreams. I've powered through -- but only because if I want to continue to live, and to live well, I need to fight this obesity. 2) My doctor says (although admittedly I don't think there is a standard of care settled regarding this yet), that I will be on it for life, and that the research is pretty clear than when most people go off of the drug they gain the weight right back, and then some (which shouldn't be surprising, this is the case with virtually any diet, medication-induced or not).

So for 15 pounds -- I think semaglutide is a very bad idea. And I can guarantee my doctor would not prescribe it for you as she would also think it was a horrible and unsafe idea. But if you are going to a med spa that makes money from everyone they push it on, they might not tell you that.

NP- I did try it for debatable weight loss last year: I am 20lbs over normal BMI but was not near obese BMI. It worked, but I experienced constant nausea, and debilitating fatigue so crushing I felt like a zombie. I regained the weight pretty quickly. I am now trying to lose with very mindful eating: lots of protein, no carbs other than fruit and vegetable carbs, lots of water. I already don't drink at all and don't eat junk food/restaurant food. I gave myself three months of consistent efforts to see some real change. If not, I will consider Tirzepatide and see if I react better with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try Qsymia. It's in pill form. It's made to block out food noise and an appetite suppressant.

Be very careful with that - it can increase your heart rate and BP.

I was prescribed it by my GP.

[Anonymous]

Try Qsmyia first for a few months. It’s supposed to help jump start the weight loss. If that doesn’t work then do a telehealth appt and fudge your numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you always have food noise? Can you get back to what your thoughts were in general before food noise?

Pretty much, always. But it's worse right now and I can't seem to break the cycle. I binge a lot. I have been trying to lose weight for about five years. Prior to that, I was high 120s/low 130s which is where I looks and feel the best. I cannot stand myself. I feel like a quick fix through meds is what I need, and once I am at my goal weight, I think I'll feel motivated to stay there and not return to my disgusting eating habits. There is a spa in my area which offers semaglutides and I'm thinking of signing up for a consultation with them. I figure I can't be alone in wanting to lose a few pounds and would really love to hear experiences from others who've done this.

If you’re bingeing, you have an eating disorder and need to see a therapist and don’t need weight loss drugs. No reputable doctor is going to give you a prescription.

[Anonymous]

OP. Well, I got it. First injection today. I went with tirzepatide. The lady said it’s slightly more effective and with fewer side effects than semaglutide, and about twice the price. I hope to only use it for three months until I’ve lost 15 pounds. I am really excited. Injection was about two hours ago and I feel no different yet, but I’ll keep you posted. Needle was tiny and I barely felt it. The lady at the spa said she took a semaglutide for six months and lost sixty pounds, and hasn’t regained in the six months since she stopped. She said she felt like it rewired her brain and it brought her back to healthy, normal eating. She said she’s so excited to be back in her skinny jeans that she’s not going back. Hopeful that’s how I’ll feel too!

[Anonymous]

Very interested in hearing how this goes, OP. I too would like to lose 10-15 - and disagree that once you lose you “need to be on it for life.” In my view it is always easier to resist the siren song of food when you are already at desirable weight then when you have extra lbs. how much was your prescription?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. Well, I got it. First injection today. I went with tirzepatide. The lady said it’s slightly more effective and with fewer side effects than semaglutide, and about twice the price. I hope to only use it for three months until I’ve lost 15 pounds. I am really excited. Injection was about two hours ago and I feel no different yet, but I’ll keep you posted. Needle was tiny and I barely felt it. The lady at the spa said she took a semaglutide for six months and lost sixty pounds, and hasn’t regained in the six months since she stopped. She said she felt like it rewired her brain and it brought her back to healthy, normal eating. She said she’s so excited to be back in her skinny jeans that she’s not going back. Hopeful that’s how I’ll feel too!

I’m a NP- how did you get the prescription? Who did you see and did you have to fudge anything? Thx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Very interested in hearing how this goes, OP. I too would like to lose 10-15 - and disagree that once you lose you “need to be on it for life.” In my view it is always easier to resist the siren song of food when you are already at desirable weight then when you have extra lbs. how much was your prescription?

Thanks for not trashing me. It was $675 per month. I feel the same. I was at my goal weight for many years and was always a pretty disciplined eater and exerciser. Since Covid I’ve been in a rut and have just been unable to pull myself out of it. I am optimistic that this will be the help I need to get back to where I want to be and once I’m there, I hope I’ll be self-motivated to stay healthy and eat well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP. Well, I got it. First injection today. I went with tirzepatide. The lady said it’s slightly more effective and with fewer side effects than semaglutide, and about twice the price. I hope to only use it for three months until I’ve lost 15 pounds. I am really excited. Injection was about two hours ago and I feel no different yet, but I’ll keep you posted. Needle was tiny and I barely felt it. The lady at the spa said she took a semaglutide for six months and lost sixty pounds, and hasn’t regained in the six months since she stopped. She said she felt like it rewired her brain and it brought her back to healthy, normal eating. She said she’s so excited to be back in her skinny jeans that she’s not going back. Hopeful that’s how I’ll feel too!

I’m a NP- how did you get the prescription? Who did you see and did you have to fudge anything? Thx

I’m not in DC. I went to a spa. Several months ago when I was getting my hair cut the stylist gave me a flyer about their semaglutide program. I was taken aback, since I am not obese. I get the distinct feeling that there are zero requirements for them to dispense these meds and they’re marketing it to anyone with a pulse. I weighed in today at 145 and said that my height is 5’5 even though it’s 5’7. I actually asked the lady if they have any restrictions and she said they won’t let you get to a BMI below 19. Quite honestly, it didn’t seem like the most medically professional setting. But the spa is high end, has a good reputation and I have a good friend who has lost nearly 50 lbs through this method and spa so I decided to take the plunge. I am happy and surprised that it was so easy to get the prescription. 30 minute consult that ended with a painless shot in my belly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want to lose 10-15. Have been trying for years and can't do it. Can't resist sweets and binging. I just want to take the weight off quickly and stop the food noise. Can anyone share their experience with taking medication for weight loss when you don't have that much to lose? I'm currently 5'7 145 lbs. How would I even get medication? Online and fudge numbers?

Dear lord start working out and stop overeating. People
Like you give us a BAD name!!! I had to go on it bc my A1C was prediabetic and I was in obese range!! I only had to lose 30 lbs but my doctor ok’d it bc of obese BMI and the high A1C. I lost the 30 lbs and am at my best weight! I am tapering off the meds after 5 months. I work out like a beast and eat very healthy st a calorie deficit. You can do this without the medication!
Sounds like you are flabby and. Red to tone; your BMI is fine. Please stop the delegitimization of this lifesaving medication!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to lose 10-15. Have been trying for years and can't do it. Can't resist sweets and binging. I just want to take the weight off quickly and stop the food noise. Can anyone share their experience with taking medication for weight loss when you don't have that much to lose? I'm currently 5'7 145 lbs. How would I even get medication? Online and fudge numbers?

Dear lord start working out and stop overeating. People
Like you give us a BAD name!!! I had to go on it bc my A1C was prediabetic and I was in obese range!! I only had to lose 30 lbs but my doctor ok’d it bc of obese BMI and the high A1C. I lost the 30 lbs and am at my best weight! I am tapering off the meds after 5 months. I work out like a beast and eat very healthy st a calorie deficit. You can do this without the medication!
Sounds like you are flabby and. Red to tone; your BMI is fine. Please stop the delegitimization of this lifesaving medication!!!

Okay…but you couldn’t do it without the prescription so why are you shaming the OP? Why didn’t YOU just workout harder and eat healthier do you could lose the 30 pounds? Or is it just okay for you but not others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I want to lose 10-15. Have been trying for years and can't do it. Can't resist sweets and binging. I just want to take the weight off quickly and stop the food noise. Can anyone share their experience with taking medication for weight loss when you don't have that much to lose? I'm currently 5'7 145 lbs. How would I even get medication? Online and fudge numbers?

Dear lord start working out and stop overeating. People
Like you give us a BAD name!!! I had to go on it bc my A1C was prediabetic and I was in obese range!! I only had to lose 30 lbs but my doctor ok’d it bc of obese BMI and the high A1C. I lost the 30 lbs and am at my best weight! I am tapering off the meds after 5 months. I work out like a beast and eat very healthy st a calorie deficit. You can do this without the medication!
Sounds like you are flabby and. Red to tone; your BMI is fine. Please stop the delegitimization of this lifesaving medication!!!

OP. I work out also, but I haven’t been able to control my eating. I wanted to do this without meds and have tried for several years and keep failing. I wish I could just “stop overeating” but I’ve been unsuccessful. Some here have said that I’m not overweight and should accept where I am, but I can’t. I do not eat in a healthy way; I eat way too much and too much junk. This is not my ideal weight. I really hope this is the help I need, and I hope it’ll be short term.

[Anonymous]

It is worth seeking a consultation. Most charts say a 5 foot 7 in woman should weigh between 122 - 150 so you are almost at the top end. Sounds like you want to be at the low end. And you may have to be on the drugs for a long time to maintain it. But maybe after you reach your goal you can do the lowest/cheapest dose

[Anonymous]

try seeing a psych NP for vyvanse for binge eating and food noise.