Wegovy/Saxenda for weight loss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wegovy gave me pancreatitis, so there's that!

Rapid weight loss and other things cause pancreatitis too. Pancreatitis is very rare side effect of Wegovy. I think staying obese for me is much riskier than Ozempic/Wegovy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a $5K family deductible and we’ve met about $2K of it so far this calendar year. How would the coverage for the medication work in my situation, since the materials specify that the $25 cost for meds is dependent on meeting your deductible?

Additionally, can someone comment on how valuable the services outside of the meds were (coaching/lessons, etc.).

Does your deductible includes meds since not all deductibles include meds?

My deductible does not apply to meds. I only have copays for meds.

[Anonymous]

I just joined Calibrate and am scheduled for the first doctor’s appointment. Since i joined, I have received emails from Calibrate addressing communication issues and disruptions in medication. Can any current Clalibrate members comment how access to medication is going? I’m not sure if I should cancel membership.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm on Calibrate. My one year program will end in September. I've lost 65 pounds this year. I need to lose another 35.

I've posted about this before but the coachings have been good for me. My coach is relentlessly positive and I have needed that. I remember griping about not losing more in December and she stopped me and made me realize this was the first year... Ever... That I'd lost weight through the holidays. I appreciate the gentle approach and the lack of focus on bad foods, etc, it's about changing your mindset about food mainly. If you can request a coach I have Rebecca. She is great!

I'm frustrated with myself that I haven't lost more. I know I've lost a lot but it's been slow, especially as I started out with a lot to lose. I've been on ozempic and wegovy. The medication is not magic--it will make you less hungry but you can still overeat and make poor choices. I have not binged this year though which is new for me.

I was switched from ozempic to wegovy in January 2022 because my insurance stopped allowing ozempic for me (I don't have diabetes, just fat). They switched me to wegovy and I have been on that the last 6 months. That coupon has now run out though, and they are wanting to switch me to mounjaro.

Depending on your insurance you might be be on a similar schedule. I haven't had any snags getting the medicine but I I started before the shortage and was already at a high level. I think the shortages are affecting the lower starting doses.

This last few months and after my coupon ran out, has been the only challenge. They sent me some form letters in May saying they were trying to get insurance approval so I had a warning, but I had to email three separate times and mainly got form letters back. But they are finally responding and I think mainly it's because my program is coming to an end and they want me to sign up for the calibrate masters second year.

During this month I tried doing alpha medical and it was really easy to get a prescription for mounjaro (they have a coupon for 25$ if your insurance doesn't accept it). I've decided though that I will stick with calibrate for another year. I know some people think the coaching is a joke but it's been good for me to have that accountability on this solitary journey. Also, I think alpha charges 75$ for the Dr consultation and I have to do it each month, so in addition to the coaching it's just easier and a little cheaper to stay with calibrate (they have different levels the second year that start at around 45$/month).

Your experience may be different with the current shortages but I've been happy enough with my experience I'm going to keep going. It has not been free of frustration though, especially the lack of response the last 3 months. Just like the medicine calibrate can't work miracles either - - if your insurance doesn't approve it there's not much else to say. If you have type 2 you will have no issues.

Once this year coupon on mounjaro runs out I am really hopeful the insurance companies start approving it. I'm hopeful this time next year I'll be at a normal weight. This drug has been amazing for my mental health, a lot of which has been talked about in previous pages. I will pay out of pocket if I must to continue after I reach a normal weight.

[Anonymous]

Oh look, the calibrate shill is back.

[Anonymous]

DP. Please skip calibrate. Alpha medical is a $30 telemedicine visit. I mean unless you need the calibrate shenanigans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone willing to say which insurances cover Wegovy? Novonordisk is unwilling to give that information out. I was told by Aetna that they would cover it but now am told that it is no longer on their formulary. Thank you.

It depends your individual prescription plan. I had BCBS at my old employer and it was not covered. I also had BCBS at my new employer and it is covered. I'm not taking it anymore because it caused horrendous side effects that I am still suffering from months after stopping it, but it is covered.

if you have employer covered insurance its up to what your employer signed up for. Insurance plans that cover weight loss will cover Wegovy Saxenda etc

[Anonymous]

Wegovy also has a weight loss coach. YOu do not need to use callibrate to get wegovy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just joined Calibrate and am scheduled for the first doctor’s appointment. Since i joined, I have received emails from Calibrate addressing communication issues and disruptions in medication. Can any current Clalibrate members comment how access to medication is going? I’m not sure if I should cancel membership.

lower doses of wegovy won't be available until mid sept at earliest. Do not let them start you on a higher dose just because it is in stock.

[Anonymous]

WEgovy has been a game changer for me. I started on Saxenda and insurance covered weight loss and my endocrinologist preferred wegovy over saxenda. Both took away my cravings of sugary and salty food immediately. It was like a weight had been lifted off. I could go to the grocery store and walk past all the junk food...I mentally shifted from eating to comfort to eat for what my body needs. Its not without its side effects...don't eat enough...reflux. Eat the wrong food (fatty) reflux and dry heaving. Its like taking disulfiram for alcoholics. So far 4 months in I'm down 30 lbs

[Anonymous]

I've been watching this thread with interest so I wanted to jump in now that I have some early results to share.

42 year old female with PCOS
5'7"
SW: 208
CW: 195
GW: 185

I started a very restrictive diet in March and lost 9 pounds but it was so hard to maintain and I went to my doctor for labs and a follow up at 199 pounds. Since I was pre-diabetic she prescribed Ozempic. I started 0.25 mg 10 days ago and I'm down 4 pounds already. Hardly ever think about food. I'm hopeful this will be the boost I need to start feeling more capable of exercising and finally pursuing a breast reduction surgery (H cup really limits what I can do in the gym).

[Anonymous]

Started Calibrate in January. Started Ozempic on 2/9 at 186 lbs, now 155 lbs. I am 5' 3''. I am at highest dose 2.0 for past 3 weeks. No side effects. Also on Metformin 500mg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wegovy also has a weight loss coach. YOu do not need to use callibrate to get wegovy

Wegovy is NOT a program. It is a drug that is prescribed for weight loss. It is a semaglutide. It is the same exact medication as Ozempic made by the same pharmaceutical company.

When it is prescribed, it does NOT come with a weight loss coach. I’m not sure what this poster is talking about, but it is incorrect. There may be medical facilities or weight loss clinics or online programs (such as Calibrate) that both prescribe Wegovy AND offer coaching. But prescribing Wegovy alone does not mean you are also getting a coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eh - I want to believe but am waiting for the longterm health risks of this stuff to emerge like it has with every other medicine before it for weight loss.

I had terrible side effects, and I stopped using it over two months ago and am still having abdominal pain. CT scan showed diverticulitis that was spurred by inflammation caused by Wegovy. I probably already had it, but it was asymptomatic until the Wegovy caused serious inflammation in my body and now it's active, inflamed, and not going away.

I would get a second opinion since meds like Wegovy have an anti-inflammatory effects.

You sound dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wegovy gave me pancreatitis, so there's that!

Rapid weight loss and other things cause pancreatitis too. Pancreatitis is very rare side effect of Wegovy. I think staying obese for me is much riskier than Ozempic/Wegovy

You've clearly not had the bad side effects. I had to stop because I was doubled over in pain. Literally doubled over in pain. I had to go to the ER.