BMI under 27 - Off Label/less to lose

[ritala]

I am mid 40’s and just can’t lose the weight like I used to. I’m fed up of losing and gaming the same two pounds. I’m about a stone and a half more than my happy weight (where I would be approx bmi 23).

I have tried to find a thread for people who have been approved ‘off label’ Wegovy or Mounjaro with less to lose but couldn’t find one, so thought I’d start here. I have a BMI higher than 25 but less than 27 with a couple extra health conditions. Hoping to start after Easter. I’d like to stay with a very low dose if possible. Half a pound a week loss would be good for me. I really want to avoided side effects.

Anyone who is in a similar boat and wants to share experiences or ask questions, please join! X

The pen from the switch I only did yesterday has arrived, and it has a bonus dose 🥳🥳

I’m not entirely sure what you’re saying, but if you’re going to use any pen beyond 30 days it needs to be kept refrigerated permanently. If it’s been outside of the fridge for any time I would definitely not risk using it beyond 30 days!

Thank you. I’m going to start my new pen tomorrow to save my half used one (which has been in the fridge permanently) to take on holiday if that makes sense. So it gets finished within a month.

Thank you @RockChik- this is a sensible approach and what I need to hear. I need to start thinking of the post-Wegovy me and the sorts of choices I make.

Today has been a good day. I’ve eaten about 700 calories and still have my dinner to go. I don’t want to dip too low with calories as although the weight will come off quicker, it’s just not healthy. I’ve not felt hungry today but also not felt like I can’t eat either. Probably the best of both worlds - like you say!

I’m day 3 of my first jab.

No side effects to report other than a little bit of heart burn occasionally. I’m eating small amounts every 3ish hours as that seems to be what my body is asking for. I’m definitely getting fuller quicker.

Well as long as you can keep that pen refrigerated (below 8°) whilst on holiday and whilst travelling, then it should be ok?

Well my process with voy was super quick, ordered it Sunday, consultation Monday, pen arrived Tuesday 😳 Little bit frustrated that I can't get started yet (I hadn't expected it to be that quick!) Work will be relentless next two weeks and then I'm away for two weeks travelling around a hot country so I'm not going to risk side effects or improper storage. Will look forward to reading about other new starters results on here so I know what to expect!
I am still going to work on good habits in the meantime, fortunately holidays aren't too bad for me re food, my downfall is stress eating chocolate/long work hours.

I wondered if anyone here is using oral contraception with wegovy and what advice you were given/have researched? The info I'd found, and the voy website, said Wegovy was ok as long as you've not got an upset stomach/vomiting (so, same as usual advice for these contraceptives) MJ is different as it affects absorption. But the consultant said any type of WLI would require another contraceptive method due to slowing down digestion. I can't find any evidence for that re Wegovy though.

I’m not having a great time. I had a good losses, went up to 0.375, the 2nd dose of this and this wall of exhaustion has hit me so badly all I do is sleep! No energy! Can’t face the gym. I was eating a lot yesterday and have gained a kg. I have no idea what’s going on

I’ve just done my first jab!

Although it’s supposed to stop you thinking about food, I’m sure I I’ll spend the whole time (at least to begin with) over-analysing whether I feel hungry or not 🤣

I’ve got a Voy ‘Getting Started’ session tonight.
Has anyone done one? Not sure if I need it when I’ve already done the first dose.

Did anyone else do the jab and wonder whether it had actually gone in? I assume the level of the liquid in the pen visibly reduces as you do more jabs?

I've booked one with Voy for tomorrow morning - planning to do my first injection in the evening tomorrow. Would be great to know if it was useful!

I did my first jab on Monday evening and have definitely spent the entire time so far analysing how I’m feeling. Hopefully that will change.

Supression was quite strong yesterday and I struggled to eat. I had a protein shake which was much easier.

Also came on my period (tmi) which wasn’t the best timing!

I meant to say, voy didn't want a video call with me, just the photo. I really must look fatter than I think 😆

Did the people who had to do the call upload photo on the website? I used the app which is a live photo, I did think if you were uploading one you could edit it so they might want more proof.

My pen has arrived, dh was home so it's safely in the fridge for when I'm home tomorrow.

I've been reading up on side effects and how best to avoid them. Seems to be about eating really small portions frequently (nausea/vomiting), slow weightloss (gall stones/pancreatis) , soluble fibre and water (constipation).

I’ll let you know.
The link to the meeting does say that video and microphone are optional, so I guess it’s going to be fairly passive.

@NinthBestOption when I signed up via the website (which then required me to download the app and finish steps there) it didn't give any option for photo. It was: choose plan/pay, upload ID, join a video call.

I can't speak from experience, but I have followed information about WLIs for a long time as I listen to American fitness podcasts, and they've been around in the general population there for longer. Generally from what I understand the vast majority of the more significant side effects (ie other than nausea/constipation/diarrhea) are a side effect of rapid weight loss or very low calorie intake, rather than the drugs specifically. Eg hair loss, bone loss, muscle loss, pancreatitis, fatigue, sleep issues. All would be applicable with rapid weight loss/lack of adequate nutrition. Hopefully though that means they're likely to be avoidable with a conservative approach.

Hi all, I’ve had a good morning with a little more of a loss this morning. Still not hungry and trying to make the right food choices. I’m able to eat but just don’t fancy eating massive amounts. I’ve always been a snacker, so need to double check approach to snack food.

I might do another microdose tonight (0.06, which is 1/4 of Wegovy start does. The reason is because we have friends over on Sunday and I’d like a drink with them. I’m worries if I jab on Saturday then the suppression could be ‘high’ for Sunday. Although, with my first week (last week), my high suppressive days were Tuesday and Wednesday.

Quick question for those who have drunk alcohol on the jabs:

1 - did it make a difference what day you had alcohol?

2 - did different alcohol affect you? I have heard wine ca make you sick and cocktails are better? Could be entirely up to the individual I expect!

3 - I don’t mind drinking less, so if I could have one drink, that would be ok. Just don’t want to rushing to the bathroom when friends are here for lunch on Sunday!!

thanks all

I've still been able to drink, I have probably drunk less but it hasn't been an issue with anything (however I do have less suppression than you I think). Others may have more experience but I'd say just take it slow perhaps and listen to how you're feeling?

I’m also interested in how alcohol intake will affect me, and would love to hear the experience of others.

I’ve got 2 long weekends away coming up. One in particular will have a big focus on drinking - I hope I’ll be able to naturally self-regulate,

It’s only been 48 hours since my first dose and I’m probably overanalysing/experiencing some kind of placebo effect, but I’ve managed to do two full days of healthy eating with a calorie deficit and basically no sweet treats (a small piece of my son’s Easter egg). And that is RARE for me, usually I last a day - or mostly not even a day! - before I succumb to my sugar cravings, especially mid afternoon and after dinner.

I’m still hungry but I’ve not resorted to sugar and carbs the way I usually do. Early days though, might all go tits up tomorrow!

Treat WLI nausea like you would pregnancy nausea; peppermint or ginger tea, eat little and often, and dried crackers are really helpful. Also stay hydrated. I’ve learned this week, if you have a big lunch have a small dinner, the compounding slow digestion is unpleasant!

Drinking has the effect of making you feel really bloated but also, it’s just less enjoyable from a buzz POV. It’s just kind of meh and flat. My friends all say the same thing, the enjoyment is different. The first drink is nice but I have less desire to keep drinking. The hangovers hit me really badly

Yes I agree with this, I feel like I get less of a buzz from drinking. I had a few cocktails one time and felt very unwell, it actually scared me, so have definitely reined it in since then!

I find I don’t crave it as much as I usually would; and one glass is enough to satisfy me. DH poured me a rum and coke on the weekend and I only drank half, didn’t fancy the whole thing. Actually now I come to think of it Coke is something I really don’t crave much at all now. We buy it for Easter and I didn’t touch a drop!

Thanks for all your experiences. I currently eat 2 meals a day, 1400 healthy calories just to maintain my weight. I wouldn't mind sticking with 2 meals, late breakfast and dinner, to give my stomach plenty of time to empty but I wonder if I could get enough calories in.

I don't intend to count calories at first, just eat a little less of my usual stuff and see if that works. I'm not much of a drinker but do have my friends 50th and a wedding in May, might need a plan.