Weight loss shots

[Happy Stylist 86]

Has anyone tried doing the weight loss shots? My surgery was just over a year ago and I still haven’t lost 50lbs. I started out with a lower BMI. So my surgeons are ok with where I’m at but I’m not. So I’m looking into the shots to help me a long. Just wondering if anyone else has had any luck

[CarmenG 151]

From what I'm reading about the Ozempic and Mounjaro injections, once you stop taking them, their appetite suppressant effects wear off and the weight comes back. I have a friend who takes one, but she takes it because she's diabetic. She has lost weight, but she'll most likely need it the rest of her life due to the diabetes anyway. She's told me that at times, she won't inject herself if she goes on a trip (for example) so that she can indulge in alcohol and decadent food without feeling nauseated/vomiting/cramps/diarrhea. But again, she doesn't take it for weight loss.

If they're being used solely for weight loss, they will help, but I guess it all depends on how long you're willing to take them. It's possible you can use the injections until you reach your goal. After that, however, it would be up to your self-discipline to continue to foster the modifications that the injections provided. I imagine you'd also have to consider insurance coverage, personal expense, and what short-term and long-term side effects they'll have on you, and whether those effects are cohesive with your lifestyle.

Edited August 9, 2023 by CarmenG

[WanderingLass 39]

There have been reports of people using it for weight loss developing gastroparesis. One patient realized she was vomiting food she had eaten 4 days prior.

It makes me very glad my insurance denied it and my doctor and I pursued weight loss surgery instead.

[ChunkCat 728]

I've tried weight loss shots. I haven't had surgery yet. I had luck with Saxenda but the insurance did not think I was losing weight fast enough so they refused to cover more. Losers. LOL I had some nausea with it at first but no real issues otherwise. When I stopped the meds I gained the weight back plus extra, of course.

I'm on Ozempic now but it is to treat diabetes. I have way more side effects with it as the dose goes up, but it usually evens out after a few weeks at the new dose. I don't love it though. The Saxenda was way easier on my body... I've lost 10 lbs on the Ozempic, then gained it back as I've had a hard time consistently getting the med since everyone is on it for weight loss, it is super frustrating.

I have heard of it being used in conjunction with weight loss surgery and some people have a lot of luck with it! The ones I've followed have been using Mounjaro though. CarolinRNY on Youtube talks a bit about this in her more recent videos if you'd like a first hand account of it being used to boost weight loss that has slowed post surgery.

My guess is if you pair it with behavior modification and taper off it slowly after you hit goal weight you might be able to maintain the results. If not you are stuck with a weekly shot until something new comes out. The shots themselves are easy to do and aren't usually painful, though they can sting a little.

ETA: I think The Sleeved Dietitian is also using Mounjaro to lose weight with and has been successful with it. You can find her on Instagram.

Edited August 9, 2023 by ChunkCat

[BabySpoons 616]

I took the shots semaglutide quite a few years ago before it was called Ozempic. I was on it just a short time for weight loss and help with insulin resistance. I remember it made me feel ill and nauseous most of the time. I stuck it out for a while longer until I read it caused cancer in rats. I don't remember losing any significant amount of weight either. But then I might not have taken it long enough.

I too have heard that it is now used in addition to WLS post for those with slow weight loss. I say give it a try as long as you are not worried about long term use side effects. Everything I've read about it up until now says you will regain the weight when you stop taking it though.

GL

[kenmj11 6]

Yes I used them to great success. I was 9 years out from sleeve. Originally lost 140 lbs over 2 years from sleeve but then gained and lost 60 and 40 lbs over and over again and after the last gain of 40 I just could not lose and found I had crept into pre diabetic range and my fasting insulin was very high. When insulin is high people are fat storing machines. I went on Ozempic and gradually increased the dosage. It got rid of the food “noise” cravings and I have lost 60 lbs in 9 months. I have stopped taking now (insurance will no longer pay and I want to try without anyway) and to maintain I am using a CGM via the Signos platform to keep glucose spikes low and also following “glucose goddess” books. I know I need to be constantly vigilant. I am commenting because there are a lot of negative experiences and usually people who had good ones stay quiet. Used properly these are livesaving medicines. While I am not on it I have no qualms if I had to stay on it for life. I take other meds that are maintenance meds and I see no difference with these. I feel that unfortunately a lot of stigma over obesity drugs where as none for arthritis, heart, cancer or other maintenance drugs.

[GreenTealael 25,336]

On 8/8/2023 at 10:23 PM, Happy Stylist said:

Has anyone tried doing the weight loss shots? My surgery was just over a year ago and I still haven’t lost 50lbs. I started out with a lower BMI. So my surgeons are ok with where I’m at but I’m not. So I’m looking into the shots to help me a long. Just wondering if anyone else has had any luck

I think a lot more people are using them than will admit it openly. There’s still a lot stigma around obesity treatment outcomes. Whatever your choice please don’t be afraid to tell your team when you start a new medication.

[ChunkCat 728]

I think they are amazing medications for weight loss and certainly worth a good try! I just find it frustrating as a diabetic that there are shortages that affect my dosing schedule. I had a similar issue with Plaquenil, the arthritis med that everyone suddenly wanted when they thought it might be useful for Covid. I don't begrudge anyone else a go at the meds, I just think pharmacies should put aside a portion of their stock for their regular diabetic patients since it impacts us so much when we can't get our monthly supply...

[kenmj11 6]

Absolutely.Especially those who are under 30 bmi (or 27 with co morbidities to qualify). I have friends who were 10lbs overweight and never obese asking me how to get it and I told them frankly that they do not need it. Especially Ozempic. There is the weight loss version now but I agree Ozempic should be reserved for diabetics or at most pre diabetics. That is why insurance is requiring a diabetes diagnosis now to get Ozempic. It helped me avert diabetes so I no longer get it and trying other methods. But if I fail I have no qualms about trying to get Wegovy if I qualify which is for obesity.

[kenmj11 6]

Absolutely.Especially those who are under 30 bmi (or 27 with co morbidities to qualify). I have friends who were 10lbs overweight and never obese asking me how to get it and I told them frankly that they do not need it. Especially Ozempic. There is the weight loss version now but I agree Ozempic should be reserved for diabetics or at most pre diabetics. That is why insurance is requiring a diabetes diagnosis now to get Ozempic. It helped me avert diabetes so I no longer get it and trying other methods. But if I fail I have no qualms about trying to get Wegovy if I qualify which is for obesity.

[xoxoMeli 47]

I took Ozempic for about 2 years for diabetes. I loss some weight but the side effects were atrocious. It did help with my A1C though.

Sent from my SM-G991U using BariatricPal mobile app