DrSchaffner

I am scheduled for surgery on February 24th, and I am very ready!

My doctor prescribed me Ozempic, which is an injectable diabetes drug that has been shown to be an effective weight loss drug. Like surgery, it makes you feel full quickly and blocks absorption. I’ve been taking it since July and, based on what I’ve read of post-surgery experiences, it has many effects and symptoms in common with surgery. Has anyone else taken Ozempic? What has your experience been?

You look GREAT!!!

Thank you! I’m ready, ready, and ready

Welcome, and congratulations on the first 30 pounds lost on your journey!!! Do you have a surgery date? I just joined yesterday and I am also pre-op, My journey began on July 29th, 2019. I weighted 395 pounds. Through changes in diet, exercising daily, and taking Ozempic—all three of which I call the current contents of my weight loss tool box—I have lost 105 pounds so far. I am having bypass surgery on February 24th, 2020. I look forward to following you and your progress as we go on our respective health journeys!

This is a great pre-op question! Each individual has to choose for him or herself, of course. Here was how I ultimately arrived at bypass for my choice. After learning about each procedure, I originally decided that I would have gastric sleeve. I have arthritis in my knee from an old sports injury and I was taking an NSAID for it—which you cannot take with bypass due to the high likelihood of ulcers. I also wanted a lower likelihood of dumping syndrome. After talking with my PCP, however, I changed my choice to bypass for a few reasons. First, after losing over 100 pounds to date pre-op I have been able to manage my arthritis with over-the-counter medications. Second, thinking of surgery as one tool in the weight loss toolbox, bypass is likely to result in a higher percentage of weight loss than sleeve. Last but not least, I want surgery to work as a tool to help me sustain my weight loss when I hit my goal weight. My PCP has had many patients who received sleeves require dilation and, in some cases, extension of their sleeves to bypasses. She also shared that the dumping syndrome that comes with bypass serves as a good long-term deterrent to overeating. I am having bypass surgery on Monday, February 24th. I plan to continue to post both pre- and post-surgery, so more to come!

It has been shown in clinical trials that individuals who took 1 mg of Ozempic per week lost, on average, 12 pounds per year. I do not have diabetes, however my PCP prescribed it as part of my preparation for surgery. I started taking it on July 29th and have been doing so weekly. In addition to changing my diet and exercising daily, I have lost over 100 pounds. In reading the experiences of others, I have had a number of symptoms—including weight loss—that are experienced post-op: feeling fuller quicker, acid reflux, constipation and weight loss. While I don’t view it as a replacement for surgery, and I am proceeding with bypass late next month, I feel it definitely has prepared me for a good deal of life and eating will be like post-surgery. I’ve been curious to know if my PCP’s practice is more widespread. She recently told me that a pill form of Ozempic is now on the market. It seems as though Ozempic could help a number of people.

I am scheduled for surgery on February 24th, and I can relate to being ready to go! On July 29th, 2019, I weighed 395.4 pounds, my heaviest weight. Since that date, through a combination of diet changes, daily exercise and Ozempic, I have lost 105 pounds. My goal for weight loss before surgery was 100 pounds, and I will continue to lose before surgery. My goal weight following surgery is 145 pounds. I have found that the small things are what I notice the most. For example, not being winded walking from my car to my office, or not needing an extender for the seatbelt on airplanes! I also love how much energy I have, even though I have nearly eliminated caffeine (sans a Diet Coke every once in a while :)).

Good morning! I am new to the group as of today. My gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for Monday, February 24th and I am ready!