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

I also find that I experience hunger but I can just ignore it and it doesn’t build or become overwhelming. Or for example yesterday I had a long drive and usually I bring something to snack on in the car (usually pretty healthy but still) and I couldn’t find anything I fancied so I just went without it and I didn’t feel deprived or even think about it. I guess that stimulus-reward pathway is blocked by the drug.

Interesting, will check that out, thanks!

I'm also interested in strategies to reduce the cost after the first month. I was a bit mortified when I opened the Voy app and saw the potential cost of my second month, if I increase to 5mg and without the first month discount.
I think I will need 2 months to get well into the green range on the BMI chart, maybe 3.

Can you switch companies after just one month to get another new customer discount - is evidence of just one prescription enough to be accepted by another company, if your BMI is only just over 25?

@IDontKnowWhatYouMean I only had to show a photo of my most recent prescription and wasn’t asked anything about dates or starting weights etc.

@IDontKnowWhatYouMean although just check you haven’t signed up to a plan with Voy

Yes you can. They only ask for a photo of your latest box/prescription to check it's really you and not too long ago.

Get started, it might take a week or so.

I signed up for 3 months at voy so I'm stuck but am leaving my second pen as 0.5mg so I can take half doses. Then it looks like I can delay the next pen at least 2 weeks then switch.

I've already bought a box of extra needles and alcohol swabs to keep the pen clean.

Thanks for the info.
I only signed up for one month at Voy, have just done second jab yesterday.
I’ll start shopping around 👍

@IDontKnowWhatYouMeankeep your box with the prescription sticker on it. That’s what you use.

One week down and I’ve lost 1kg…happy if it continues that way but know some of it is water weight. Second injection was fine and so far no side effects but it is early!!

Yikes 5mg is where it’s at, I’ve lost 3lb in 10 days after what’s been a very slow and steady 3 months.

im going to start titrating down now though, although I have 3lb to my “dream weight” which I hope to still get to, I can’t believe how my exercise has been impacted this week. I nearly passed out in my netball game on Monday and I felt I couldn’t play centre last night, even when I was carrying 17lb more of weight I could happily run around the court for 48 minutes no issues. I want to be healthy and strong, not skinny and feeble lol.

So time to get down to some more reasonable levels and to remember why I’m doing this, to be a healthier version of myself.

I'd like to join you please. Went on Superdrug not expecting to qualify and was accepted very quickly! Am away for weekend so pickup Wegovy on Monday. Would just like a bit of help to lose a stone. Am currently 5'3" and 11 3 with light clothing for the photos I had to take. What a performance that was!

Not looking forward to doing the jabs, is it easy enough? Not sure if i am determined enough if side effects bad.

From what I've read its good to do it in the evening and in arm or leg to get less side effects, is that your experience?

@Learningdutch the jabs are very easy, it’s not like trying to find a vein or anything like that. I’ve done it in my leg the last couple of times and my SE have been minimal but be warned I have bruised quite noticeably!

@Learningdutch well done for taking the leap! I watched lots of YouTube videos to build up the courage as I was horrified at the thought of injecting myself. I prefer to call it ‘jabbing’ for some reason. Sounds a bit more fun and less medical/druggie! Haha. I’ve linked my favourite video on on of my earlier posts if you think it might help. The lady has a nice calming voice and demos it on an orange.

I jab in the fattest part of me, which for me is the stomach. Pinch and jab. I can’t feel it. Top tip is to take the pen out of the fridge for 15 minutes beforehand. It gets it up to room temperature a bit and is less cold so you can’t feel it. I also have a bottle of lucozade an hour or so before. As you can tell I am very paranoid about side effects and like to have a bit of a routine with everything! Good luck x

Thanks @ritala and @kljdhs877 . I haven't told my partner I'm doing this as he will think its mad. Have read don't need to refrigerate as long as keep below 30° and use within 28 (?) days. So am hoping to keep out of his sight and just say extra determined to lose weight as going on holiday. Also have hip tendonitis and need to lose wright to reduce pressure on it.

Has anyone not refrigerated? (WEGOVY)

Is anyone else using Superdrug and know if you can view the photos you submitted?

The jab was very easy - I also was worried but did it in my stomach and didn't feel it at all. I've just messed up on my second dose as I thought you had to prime the needle each time! So I'm waiting for customer service to get back to me as I turned it one click and pressed the plunger and a huge amount of liquid shot out! (well it felt huge when I was expecting a drop!). Feel very stupid for not realising that you only prime the pen once, not for each new needle. I'm sure I will get the hang of it.

For reference I'm also 5 ft 3 and 11 stone 1 (or up to 11 stone 3) and I've done one week of WEgovy. Some very mild nausea and one slight dizzy spell on first day. Have felt appetite supression very much and only felt normally hungry again Wednesday evening and Thursday. Dose on Fridays hence mess up this morning! I seem to have lost 3 lbs this week!

Also I kept it in fridge from arrival to first dose but now it's just in my bedroom in a drawer. ( Wegovy)

I feel the same, running feels really hard right now. My ideal weight would be 62/63kg but I’m aiming to get to 65/66kg (BMI 23) and then focus on strength and fitness. If I manage to lose a few extra kg that’s great, but not essential.

@SandwichesAndGingerBeer yeah exactly. And the other thing as well is I’m a bit wobbly in places I wouldn’t usually be, I’m worried more of the loss is muscle than id like. Although I like the number on the scales I don’t actually like what’s staring back at me in terms of strength and tone.

This last month I’ve been scales obsessed for my holiday, not focussing on the right things, enjoying the suppression and not trying to eat well. Once I’m back from holiday I’m going to start focusing on strengthening, protein and all that good stuff. I’m hoping now the number on the scales is what I want it to be I can start making better choices. Alongside MJ.

Yes @Learningdutchas @jazzflutesays, definitely keep in fridge until first dose. I’m keeping my Wegovy pen in fridge all the time as I’m actually going to go past the one month mark as I am microdosing (taking less than the recommended starter dose). I’m doing that as I had a bad side effect (insomnia) on the starter dose. I’m not sure what the rules are if you have the pen out of the fridge after 30 days so I’m playing it safe.

Just took my second dose and am more certain that I jabbed myself properly this time :D @jazzfluteI did the same and did a flow test again, whoops! I was following the step by step injection instructions on the Voy app and wasn’t thinking.

I’ve managed to lose just over a kg in my first week which was a nice surprise. I can’t say I felt a strong suppression during the week, and was definitely feeling hungry by Wednesday evening. Only side effects so far have been a thumping headache, but suspect I might have had a sinus thing/allergies this week too.

I’m coming up to end of wk3 and due to do my 4th jab tomorrow of 2.5mg.
3.1kg over the 3 weeks so a steady 1kg a week loss which I am happy with.
minimal SE & the suppression is good. I have massively reduced my portion sizes but don’t feel I’m missing out on anything food wise.

I’ve really noticed a difference in my wine consumption which is great. I am still enjoying a glass of wine with not much fallout (bit more of a headache the next day than usual) but I appear to have a much better stop button than before WLI. I would normally find it v easy to drink a bottle in one sitting whereas I stop after 2-3 glasses since I started jabs. Plus my desire to drink has v much reduced and not succumbing to the wine witch nearly as much.

i’m going to carry on with 2.5mg for now unless i start to plateau. Would like to drop a further 6-9kg to get to my goal weight.

Oh pants do you not need to prime the pen everytime? I did wonder why so much liquid came out this time whoops

Guess it’s a learning curve for everyone.

Im keeping mine in the fridge but it (mj) does say room temp up to 30 degrees is fine I think

@IDontKnowWhatYouMean I have done the same and only signed up for 1 month as I just wanted to kick start things. Will reassess in week 3!

I have lost 4lbs and am week 2 day 2.

So I’m 1.5kg down in 1.5 weeks but I don’t look any different. My clothes aren’t looser so I have no idea where this weight has dropped from! Maybe my internal organs?!

They say it generally takes 7lb before it’s visibly noticeable for yourself (as 14lb for others). Make sure you’re measuring regularly too, I measure once a month. My weight loss has been very even over my body so took a while to feel and see a difference.