September 25 starters thread2 - gliding into autumn

[outofofficeagain]

We go (vy) again …

I was told that it’s due to the effect Mounjaro has on slowing down the digestion of food in the gut. Many knee operations are now done with sedation and a lumbar injection but in any such procedure there is a possibility of complications leading to a general anaesthetic. So the risk of aspiration of undigested food has to be considered. Also stopping Mounjaro can lead to an increase in blood sugars which is not ideal. I don’t know if going privately makes a difference, maybe they are more cautious.

It was the consultant who told me to stop taking it, I’ve not yet had my pre op visit so not sure if the anaesthetist I’ll be meeting will say the same. Two weeks does seem a long time to me.

However, the side effects of Mounjaro were really bothering me so, I was considering stopping anyway when I finish this pen. After yet another diarrhoea episode last night after injecting on Friday, I’m happy to stop and probable won’t start again after my two operations.

Ooh yes, I was with an anaesthetist friend recently and she said she hates patients who are on WLIs. Because they slow the emptying of the stomach, they have to treat patients as if they haven't fasted, like if they were doing emergency surgery. Apparently much more complicated for general anaesthetic. So that's a good tip for anyone planning surgery, discuss the implications with your Dr.

NCed to delurk.

I started on MJ at the very end of September and will start at 7.5mg next weekend. Across the eight weeks I have lost 8 lbs, SW 11st 6 (I am 1m57 tall) so not very much loss! (for the money!). 2.5mg had NO impact on appetite, weight loss was down to self control low calorie and water loss. 5 worked a little, but only for 3 or 4 days. I think I lost 1-2 lbs across my 3 weeks on 5mg (I had norovirus at the move from 2.5 to 5, was worried was side effects but has been okay since!). Disappointing as my TDEE is 1800 and I am eating 1100-1200 calls a day. And that’s tough days 5, 6 and 7. I eat in an 18 hour fast/ managed calorie/low carb/high fibre way, cooking from scratch. I walk my dogs, do 10k steps a day and walk fast, so I get a bit breathless during the walks.

I want to share my background. I have yo-yoed in weight all my adult life. I am a constant craver and feaster (big appetite and always hungry!). I put on a lot of weight over lockdown, I reached 17 stone. I have previously lost weight as an adult but plateau quite easily, then I lose motivation. I started to lose by myself, reducing carbs. Atkins-lite! I lost 20lbs and then plateaued so I joined an NHS app called Oviva, nutritionist led group programme. I introduced the intermittent fasting eat pattern. The accountability also worked for me, posting photos of all the food I ate. I lost another 20 lbs, then plateaued for six months. It’s hard to not eat, be hungry and not lose weight. I then (with Boots) started Saxenda, then Wegovy. Wegovy worked really well for me, appetite suppression to enable me to eat fewer calories diet. Over a year, I lost another few stones. I was on the top dose of Wegovy for a few months, I was then encouraged to wean off when I hit TW. I tolerated the meds well, had constipation as a side effect (sorbitol gummies kept me moving!). I chose to wean down the WLI, stepping back to the second lowest dose. The hunger came back fast and strong, but weight gain seemed over-fast, relative to what I was eating. Over six months, despite maintaining a fairly good diet broadly the same as when I was on WLI, I regained 20lbs. I decided to try MJ for a while to get back to a normal weight.

Just sharing this for those who wonder what life post WLI might be- I wish I had been more prepared for it, mentally- despite the step down weaning I did, I think I was probably complacent and unprepared for my craving feasting appetite to return as fast as it did.

Just had my first NSV!

I bought a Lucy and Yak jumpsuit (size 18) about three months ago on the recommendation of a friend, but when it arrived I couldn’t even get into it. Well, the bottom half was alright but I couldn’t even get my arms in the armholes. It’s like there wasn’t enough room in the garment for the physics to work. It does look to be cut relatively small on the top (and I am big of boob and broad of back), plus the fabric is quite heavy and stiff. I thought about returning it or exchanging for a bigger size but I was already mulling going on MJ so decided to keep it as a tester garment.

As I’m 7 weeks in, and 7kgs down and clothes are fitting better, I thought I’d give it a try not really expecting much success. Got it on no trouble and it even zipped up (although did squash my boobs down). It’s pretty snug (and my husband had to be deployed to help get it off me!) so I think I’ll wait a few more weeks (and a few more kgs) until I wear it out in public, but I’m pretty chuffed with that.

I had my second dose of 5mg last night, this was from a brand new pen as I’d done 4 x 3.75 and 1 x 5mg from my last pen.
This time the 5mg feels way stronger. I was a little nauseous this morning which I’ve not really suffered with but it went once I ate.
The suppression has kicked in over the day and is feeling a bit too high. So strange after being fine last week.

@DoesVeryLittle

My GP prescribed WLI for me but as I’m in Ireland, I still have to pay for them so order from NI to save money. Obviously, they’re not a cheap medication.

However, she was very clear that research has shown that most of her seriously obese patients like me (BMI 39) will need to stay on WLI for life rather than getting to goal then dropping them completely and that I need to accept that as a strong possibility before starting on them. She really stressed this point to me.

Unfortunately, I think that many people buying them online are completely unaware of this fact and think they can use the WLI to lose the weight and then wean themselves off them and they’ll miraculously stay slim.

From my perspective, I’m hoping that as more research is done, cheaper and more effective alternatives to MJ will become available as I’m under no illusions that I’ll be one of the lucky ones able to manage without them long term.

Hi all...

Hope you're well... I've been MIA for a few weeks as work got a bit hectic.
I have been losing weight steadily in the meantime.

I took my 3rd dose of 5mg on Thursday and I don't think it suppresses my appetite as the lower doses - because I can eat more than previously at meal times or feel hungry earlier after a meal.

My next dose will be from a 7.5mg pen - I probably will contonue on 5mg to see if there is any difference.

Start weight: 121.4kg / 267.6lbs
Current weight: 111.8kg / 246.5lbs
Total loss: 9.6kg / 21.2lbs in 12 weeks
Goal weight: 78kg (might change)
Average weekly loss: 0.9kg / 1.9lbs

2.5mg dose / pen
Dose 1: 121.4kg
Dose 2: 120.7kg - 0.7kg / 1.5lbs
Dose 3: 119.4kg - 1.3kg / 2.9lbs
Dose 4: 118.2kg - 1.2kg / 2.6lbs

3.75mg dose (2.5mg pens: GD + 1.25mg)
Dose 5: 117.8kg - 0.4kg / 0.9lbs

3.75mg dose (30 clicks 2.5mg pen + 30 clicks 5mg pen)
Dose 6: 116.7kg - 1.1kg / 2.4lbs
Dose 7: 115.4kg - 1.3kg / 2.9lbs
Dose 8: 115.1kg - 0.3kg / 0.7lbs
Dose 9: 113.6kg - 1.5kg / 3.3lbs
Dose 10: 112.7kg - 0.9kg /2.0lbs

5mg dose / pen
Dose 11: 112.7kg - 0.0kg /0.0lbs

5mg dose (2.5mg pen: 2.5mg + GD)
Dose 12: 111.8kg - 0.9kg /2.0lbs

5mg dose (2.5mg pen: 60 clicks + GD 0.6ml)
Dose 13: 111.8kg - 0.9kg /2.0lbs

I’m hoping that I can wean myself off Mounjaro, I look like being one of the few people who cannot tolerate it. After 10 injections, I have 9 bouts of diarrhea and 1 week of very painful constipation! I was on the point of giving up when I was told that I need to stop taking it anyway prior to an operation in December.

As I’ll have a second operation in the new year, it’s not worth starting again until March at the earliest. I am very overweight, my BMI was 44 when I started dieting this summer without WLI. I got it down to 41 by will power alone then started using Mounjaro to boost the loss prior to my operation. It’s now 38 and I’ve lost a total of almost 3 stone.

I have totally changed my eating habits, I no longer drink alcohol other than at a once a month social event, I don't eat large family packs of crisps in one go, whole packets of chocolate biscuits in one go, several slices of thickly buttered white bread with most meals or rarely have chips. My big appetite has reduced so I only need small portions and can easily refuse dessert if eating out.

As these changes were made before starting Mounjaro then I’m sure I can continue them afterwards. I had a very bad night yesterday, I injected on Friday morning, had mild diarrhea on Saturday then it came back with a vengeance last night with griping stomach pains and wind so I’ve only had a few hours sleep. At one point I even thought about having a strong gin and tonic to help me sleep but was easily able to dismiss that thought!

I hope I have developed life long healthy eating habits that will continue after Mounjaro, I’ve not been on it for many months so maybe that will help. I certainly intend to start walking and swimming again once I recover from my two knee replacement surgeries which will help and I’ll continue weighing myself each week to make sure the weight does not creep back on.

I am sure your GP is right for a lot of people, I know a couple of friends who have indeed regained weight but they did not really change their diets while using Mounjaro, they relied on its effects of reducing appetite to eat less but still ate the wrong foods, just less of it. They did not count calories so had no idea of what they needed each day to maintain the lost weight so it’s not surprising that the weight came back.

Time will tell for me I guess and if I’m wrong and I do drift back to my old ways then maybe I’ll reconsider and try a different WL medication in future - but hopefully the memory of how ill I felt on Mounjaro will give me enough will power!

I like the graph, it’s very encouraging to see the line go down!

@Ihateslugs judging by your success with weight loss prior to MJ, I think you’ll be one of ones who will successfully keep it off 🥰

I had a wonderful NSV today. 😁 🧥
DH bought me a lovely expensive winter coat in the sales a few years ago that was too tight and I said I’d slim into. 😩 It got put into a storage bag with a few other winter bits and bobs and basically completely forgotten about….until today….!!!

OMG as soon as I saw it, I knew it would fit and it does. I can even wear a jumper and a gilet under it, no problem.

@maz99 I love your graph. 😍. Is that an App or did you make it yourself? It must feel pretty thrilling every time you open it and see the downward trajectory?

@Chopsy123

The graph is from the Shotsy app

Here is another one I have with my daily weigh ins... from the Renpho scale/app synced to the Samsung Health app.

Because of the spikes in my weightI think I'm now desensitised whenever my weight increases, because I can see that the overall trend is down.

Hi sorry to be dim I’ve just done my 4th dose and I have this left, I can’t click it anymore but it looks like quite a lot left thank you x

It's enough for another dose - you can get it out with an insulin syringe.

If you want to find out more info - have a look at videos from 'Fat Old Climber' on YouTube as he discusses this in clear detail

Thank you I can’t remember if on other pens at the end if there is still some left, I don’t want to under dose myself!

No... there is always some left after 4 doses.

Mine seems to have a lot left!

@Wendalicious Yes, you’ll probably find that it has a bit more than one full dose left.

When I used a syringe to extract the ‘golden dose’, 60 units equals one full dose so that’s what I extracted from my first pen and there was a bit left over.

However, I took 70 units from my second pen (2.5mg pen) as I was thinking of increasing to 3mg or 3.75mg when starting my 3rd pen which is a 5mg pen.

I’m not sure if the most recent stock of pens have a full dose left over now?

Well done! Just in time for this chilly weather!

@Chopsy123 That’s very interesting what your GP has said about needing to stay on jabs after reaching the target weight/for maintenance. (I know there is a thread about maintenance). I would genuinely like to know if this is because lot of people take weight loss jabs but don’t really change their habits (food or exercise) or is it because the food noise is so strong that whilst some of the habits have been changed, the snacks/drinks etc creep in and there is no calorie deficit left. There probably isn’t enough studies available yet about a longer term maintenance but I keep thinking about this as I would like to be able to maintain the lower weight without jabs.

what the last three months have shown me is the extra calories I used to consume. I’m trying to make long term changes to my diet, understanding my ideal portion sizes and I’m adding exercise slowly as I go along. My weakness has always been sweet things and that’s where mj is really helping me, I just don’t fancy sweets/chocolate/biscuits. Not sure how I will train myself not to give in!

Very impressed with my willpower this evening! For the first time since starting on Mounjaro, I went to one of my favourite sub groups for my WI, Gin Club, where we sit and chat while drinking gin! We had a new one tonight, quince gin, which was delicious.

I had saved calories during the day by combining my lunch and tea into a meal at 4 pm, two hard boiled eggs with 4 thin corn cakes followed by a homemade granola bar. I track calories on the Calo App which can scan bar codes, recipes or packaging to keep a running total of calories consumed. When I got home tonight, I added the three double gins and slim line tonics that I’d had and as I managed to resist all the crisps and nibbles, I ended up well under my daily total TDEE of 1400 calories! An amazing feat really!

Here’s a screen shot of my daily tracking, I might frame it to prove that I can limit my food and still enjoy an evening of great company and a few drinks. You might need to wait a while for approval. I

I had a target to get into the lower half of the 12 stone bracket this week for a big conference I’m speaking at - and I borderline made it, weighing in at 12 stone 7 3/4 lbs yesterday with absolutely no clothes on!

In truth it’s been a slow month for weight loss and I’d have liked to have lost more weight for this event but I know I haven’t been quite consistent enough, and I will take the fact I am nearly at the target I set myself.

I did bring my trainers with me though on the conference and have just been for my first run since starting MJ! I ran for 28 mins and though my fitness leaves a lot to be desired I was pleasantly surprised by how much difference having that first stone off makes, compared to the last time I ran 10 weeks ago. My sports bras/ running gear all fit a lot better too which is a blessed relief!

Well done @OneDayIWillLearnthat’s great. I found it much easier to climb a steep hill on my dog walk now I’m not carrying a kettle bell.

and @Ihateslugs,that’s impressive

I wore dress to an event on Sunday which I haven’t worn for 6 years and was pleased with myself.

I’ve just seen photos of myself though and I still look quite bulgy. I think it’s because my bra doesn’t fit. But I’m reluctant to be constantly buying new bras.

I would like to go and get fitted properly when I’m at my target weight but what should I do in the meantime? Just soldier on?

Been having a weird three weeks, basically hovering around the same weight, up and down within a couple of pounds. I lost a stone during the first six weeks so am not sure what’s happening. I count calories using an app and try to prioritise protein and less carbs.
Tomorrow will be my second golden dose so I am wondering if I might take 3mg if there’s enough left to do so. Just for a boost as my next pen is also 2.5mg (I wanted to try and stay low for one more).

What I tend to do is wear two crop top type bras from TU together. It’s comfortable and surprisingly supportive/ gives me plenty of life - plus no bulging even when I was at my heaviest. This kind of thing: https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc145441237

Definitely two at the same time though otherwise wouldn’t be supportive enough! I’m a FF cup.