Wegovy/Saxenda for weight loss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm on week 6 of the calibrate program: 4 weeks of .25 and last week was my first dose of .5 ozempic.

I have a lot to lose (starting weight 250) but so far I've lost 21 pounds.

I was really worried about the side effects but haven't had anything major. There was one night early on ,I think the 2nd week, where I had coffee in the afternoon and got the most upsetting burps/bubbling stomach hours later. I really thought I would throw up but didn't. Since then I've avoided anything like coffee on an empty stomach and haven't had anything like that happen again.

I know it's early but this drug is a miracle for me. I don't obsess about food like I used to (I used to be thinking of what I'd eat for dinner while eating lunch). It's upsetting to think about how much mental energy I used to expend, obsessing about food and trying to control myself around it.

I like the calibrate program. It's moving slowly at the beginning, focusing on hydration for the first month, sleep the second. I like my coach,I meet with her for 15 minutes every other week which is just the right amount of personal input I want. I tried doing noom briefly and really couldn't stand all the messages from the coaches.

I'm really amazed at ozempic though. It's like I've had a brain transplant. No more snacking at night, etc. I just don't think about food,and when I do get hungry I don't have these uncontrollable cravings any more and can make good food choices. Is this what normal people feel like? I'm hoping this year 'metabolic reset' will help because I really think there was something haywire with the way I obsessed about food. I'm sure it's a combo of mental and physical things at play, but if I have to take this the rest of my life I will, it's been really positive for me and the first time I feel hopeful about things.

I feel exactly the same way! I used to eat a pint of ice cream almost every night or some other snack, and a lot of junk during the day. I was obsessed with food, even though I hated what it was doing to my body. I no longer have those cravings! The first few nights it was weird not eating after 8, but I'm getting used to a new normal. I haven't eaten a piece of Halloween candy! If you knew me, you would know that's a big deal.

People who don't feel this way don't understand how hard it is to fight your brain and stomach when they're working against you. Semaglutide removes those cravings and obsessions. I'm able to stick to my recommended diet of high protein and vegetables and low carbs. I NEVER could stick to a diet before. I would happily take this medicine for life just to control my weight.

[Anonymous]

What is the typical amount of weight you need to lose to qualify for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, I take Zofran a couple times a day almost every day.

My primary care doctor just told me that Zofran apparently contributes to constipation.

I'd strongly suggest getting Natural Calm magnesium and Miralax. I take Natural Calm most days (I take 1 Tbsp but I've been taking it for a while -- start with 1 tsp!). I add Miralax probably every other day to every third day.

A doctor on Calibrate suggested adding Lily of the Desert aloe vera juice. I have, and I really don't like it -- it doesn't taste like anything, but I don't like the way it makes me feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the typical amount of weight you need to lose to qualify for this?

I think most people here are trying to lose more than 20 pounds. I'm trying to lose 50 or so.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. What are the long term side effects of this drug? Do you gain the weight back as soon as you go off it? I’m very curious because I have at least 30 lbs to lose and it sounds too good to be true!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here. What are the long term side effects of this drug? Do you gain the weight back as soon as you go off it? I’m very curious because I have at least 30 lbs to lose and it sounds too good to be true!

PP here who wants to lose 50 pounds. I can't find much about the long-term effects of semaglutide, but you can check out https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618008.html for more information. I've read anecdotally that people had a hard time maintaining the weight loss after stopping the medication. The effects of the medicine stop when you stop taking it. For someone like me, who has been struggling with obesity for a long time, it may be a lifetime drug. I've lost 13 pounds in just 3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Would anyone mind sharing their doctor info? I'm not sure who to go to about ozempic but I have about 50-60 lbs to lose. This weight loss is hindered by injury and it's been challenging to say the least. Considering all my options and am very interested in attempting a non surgical route before succumbing to gastric sleeve. Been there done that with phentermine, Jenny Craig and WW. This ozempic seems like a great new option to try. I'd love any and all doctor recommendations. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

How about alcohol? I love to meet my friends on the weekends at bars. Will I feel too full to drink more than one or two?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would anyone mind sharing their doctor info? I'm not sure who to go to about ozempic but I have about 50-60 lbs to lose. This weight loss is hindered by injury and it's been challenging to say the least. Considering all my options and am very interested in attempting a non surgical route before succumbing to gastric sleeve. Been there done that with phentermine, Jenny Craig and WW. This ozempic seems like a great new option to try. I'd love any and all doctor recommendations. Thanks!

I'd recommend trying Calibrate to start with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about alcohol? I love to meet my friends on the weekends at bars. Will I feel too full to drink more than one or two?

You'll definitely want to stay away from filling drinks such as hard seltzers and beer. I stick to dry wines and mixed drinks with vodka (less sugar content). But yeah, you will naturally drink less over time, which is not a bad thing, IMO.

[Anonymous]

What is calibrate? Any doctors in the DMV that work with you and are knowledgeable about diet medications?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I just started semaglutide yesterday and I'm really excited. I get it through a weight loss clinic. I'm titrating up from 0.25 mg to the max dose I can tolerate. So far (one day) I have had no side effects. Will keep you posted.

Which weight loss clinic? Does BCBS cover the meds for non-diabetics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I just started semaglutide yesterday and I'm really excited. I get it through a weight loss clinic. I'm titrating up from 0.25 mg to the max dose I can tolerate. So far (one day) I have had no side effects. Will keep you posted.

Which weight loss clinic? Does BCBS cover the meds for non-diabetics?

I go to Rivas Weight Loss Center. It has several locations in Maryland. They do not accept insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about alcohol? I love to meet my friends on the weekends at bars. Will I feel too full to drink more than one or two?

You'll definitely want to stay away from filling drinks such as hard seltzers and beer. I stick to dry wines and mixed drinks with vodka (less sugar content). But yeah, you will naturally drink less over time, which is not a bad thing, IMO.

Actually the only thing I drink on semaglutide are hard seltzers because of the very low sugar content (the lowest of all alcoholic drinks besides straight liquor like vodka). The higher the sugar (like wine, mixed drinks, etc) the more sick you can get. I've been fine with Bon Viv, Wild Basin, White Claw, etc. And I don't get any hint of a hangover. I can drink 2-3 over the course of 4 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is calibrate? Any doctors in the DMV that work with you and are knowledgeable about diet medications?

NP here. My Calibrate doctor is based in Maryland.