Ozempic for those a few months in - part 3

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Thread was full so I've started a new one. 😀

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 i tried that but they said that they felt at a bmi of 22 I didn’t need the drug anymore. Honestly I reckon they are looking to charge more for new patients. I emailed them my disappointment that I was 3kg from goal and they have stopped me achieving that.

I’ll try quickmeds but neither time is a good time for me to be online. Rightangled have stock but are expensive.

@Twilightstarbright I'm sorry, that's so stressful. There's ben times where I've had to 'pop to the loo' when QuickMeds re-stock.

@FiveCows I have lost over 4 stone in the past eight months, life changing. I'm a super responder and stayed on the lowest dose for about three months. But I've also given it my all and been in extreme calorie deficit and that's not for everyone (could have never done it with a more demanding physical job or young children). Was also worried about skin sag but it's not been too bad, esp considering I'm 50+. I recommend this based on my own experience but not everyone has such a positive one. I'm thinking of coming off the jab in 2024 gradually, hoping to rely on my new insights into TDEE, portion control and nutrition. I'm committed to a calorie controlled diet for life, but who knows how hard that will be without the appetite suppressing effect. This thread is an amazing place for support and info, I say go for it.

Weigh-in day for me, I've lost a baffling 2.4 kg or 5 lbs in 8 days. Fourth week of W 1mg, was thinking of increasing to 1.3 next week or go straight to 1.7? Have felt a bit hungrier.
BMI now 23.5 and waist is FINALLY 79cm /31inch so on the healthy side.
The only thing I've done differently is eating a bit more; closer to my maintenance number.
Right, I'm off to have a turkey wrap now.

Well done @VanellopeVonSchweetz99 thats brilliant!

Hi, yes £199 will give you 4 doses

Thank you all for the advice and support. I have taken the plunge and ordered my first month of Wegovy from myBMI.

I want to give myself absolutely the best chance for a lifetime change. Any books, audiobooks, recommendations or things you guys wish you knew?

thanks in advance

@FiveCows No books, but my top tips to make the most of this would be:

• Water, water, water, and more water. 2 liters a day minimum.
• Going into calorie deficit might feel easier than ever, and will speed up your results. Lots of info online about working out your TDEE. Basically: Eating 3700 calories under your TDEE over a week will result in losing one pound.
• Calorie deficit and exercise don't mix well. I've only done dog walks.
• Log everything you eat to get an idea of where you could cut calories/replace with better options.
• Some people don't log what they eat, they just naturally fancy eating less. See how you feel.
• You might feel cravings/hungry at times, especially towards the end of the week or when you need to go up a dose. It's ok. Willpower is a part of this, as well as allowing yourself some treats from time to time.
• Can't stress this enough: Focus on eating protein, have some every meal. 40 g/day minimum. Turkey, salmon, prawns, chicken and kvarg are my new best friends.
• Supplements: I take a good multivitamin, omega 3 capsules, biotin (for the hair loss) and magnesium citrate (for the poop).
• Side effects include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, constipation. For most, they pass. Don't let yourself go for too many days without pooping, DulcoEase tablets are the least cramp inducing.
• I can eat everything in moderation, some feel awful after fatty foods ie pizza. It's a learning curve.
• Before, I drank far too much alcohol. The jab reduced those cravings, a really pleasant surprise and great for my health. Same with my desire for evening binges on carby snacks. Many people have reported this feeling of becoming re-wired in the brain and feeling less "addicted"; ie getting less of a serotonin rush from food/alcohol.
• You are doing this for you, so look after yourself and make choices that benefit YOU. Take care and best of luck!

After being fed up not losing anything and MyJuniper only supplying 0.5 for the last 2 months I took the plunge and ordered 1.0 Wegovy from Boots. I had to send photos and proof of being on 0.5 previously but was accepted. I'm pleased to say that I've lost 2lb in my first week on 0.5 and the difference in my appetite/cravings is huge.

I now have 1 stone to go to get myself into the healthy range for my height, and it feels like it will actually happen. It's taken me 7 months and I've lost 3 stone and I feel like a different person.

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 thabk you so much for all those tips. I have been approved so the Wegovy should arrive today or tomorrow. Weighed in at 235 this morning - looking forward to seeing that number going down!

Hi all
I've found asda much cheaper at £169. They won't prescribe 1.7 mg as yet but might when I am established with them
I am not loosing atm and have slowed down on 1 mg. Any tips?

@FiveCows I second what @VanellopeVonSchweetz99 has suggested as tips.

I've been on ozempic for eight months and have lost nearly three stone despite being stuck on 0.5mg due to supply issues.

Definitely second the exercise one all I have done is walk my dog twice a day. I've found the fatigue really bad the whole time I've been on the drug.

I didn't go as low in my calories as @VanellopeVonSchweetz99 I stuck to 1400 which for me was a big defecit as probably had been eating over 2000 a day. To be honest I've eaten what I fancied just much less of it. I've still had carbs and occasional bits of chocolate when PMT. Definitely second the lots of water especially when you plateau.

I've had nausea throughout especially first thing in the morning, nothing I've found has eased this.

The drug has been life changing for me I'm 52, menopausal, chronically ill on morphine daily and I've been able to lose weight. Like others I had tried every diet going and was desperate. Mentally the changes are huge I feel like me again and I can wear clothes I love. I've replenished my wardrobe mainly through eBay as I've gone down a number of sizes. Best for me was losing my 40E boobs that I hated, I'm now a 34c. My waist measurement is no longer dangerous.

These threads have been invaluable and are what persuaded me to give it a shot and I am so glad that I did.

I do have a bad wrinkly neck not sure if that is ozempic face or just ageing but I'll take it.

Best of luck @FiveCows I hope you do wellxxc

@Karmakamelion Are you calorie tracking everything you eat? Not saying that's for everyone, but as a rule if you're not losing (but maintaining I assume?) you are on your TDEE and need to cut back on calories. Which gets harder as the appetite suppressing effect wears off, and also as we weigh less the TDEE number goes down, so that's crap.
My top tips for calorie deficit are a minimum of 2 liters of water/day, protein with every meal (a minimum of 40g/day) and try 'volume eating' if you are very hungry.

For the past 8 months I've been under 1000 kcal/day for about 80% of the time (I'm short and 50+ so my TDEE is very low). It takes planning and effort but it really does work. It's flirting with an eating disordered mindset though, so if you have issues with that, please be careful.

@SarahC50 We are boob twins! And wrinkly neck twins! Zero regrets though. x

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 go us xxx

So glad to see the boobs gone aren't you?

I'll take the gizzard neck over my obesity anyday.

I'm thinking in Feb if get to my vague target of maintaining for about six months on 0.25mg just to consolidate. If the worst happens I will stay on it longer or go back on it x

@SarahC50 The boobs yes, but most of all the gut! The feeling of fitting into clothes that I like is like nothing else, sorry if that sounds really shallow.
Interesting plan. I might do something similar. Slightly fearful of cravings/addictions returning in full force.

Thank you all for the tips!

I just did my first dose, was very straightforward- here’s to less of me by Christmas!

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 thank you for your reply. I have had disordered eating so need to be mindful. What is TDEE please x

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 not shallow at all. My self esteem has improved drastically and I actually like what I see in the mirror x

@Karmakamelion
TDEE is your 'total daily energy expenditure'. Do google it, there are various calculators, but everyone is different so it's good to get to grips with your own number if you are going down this route. For me it gives me a sense of healthy control and helps me make nutritionally sound choices.
TDEE Calculator

@FiveCows Best of luck to you, how are you feeling?

Thanks @VanellopeVonSchweetz99 , feeling ok thanks - little bit headachey but I also have a cold so it is probably that.
I’ve started tracking my weight as well as calories - 861 yesterday - and loads of water. A combination of trying to cut down and not feeling hungry much. TDEE is 2028, and for weight loss it suggests 1528 so I think I will try to up the calories a bit today. Don’t want to get gallstones!
No blood sugar highs and lows which is something I have suffered from - which was nice.

How are you?

Hi there just reporting in I started ozempic in December 2022 I was 13stones10 pounds heavier than I'd ever been. I am only 5,2 tall so BMI was very high.
In almost a year I am now 10 stones1 pound.
So still not quite a normal BMI.
In all honesty I'm still pretty fat waist measurement is still much higher than it should be.
But this drug has been so beneficial to me I really cant recommend it enough.
The weight loss now is very slow probably only a pound every couple of weeks.
I have just received Wegovy 1.7mgs which I will start this week.
I am planning to stay on the 1.7 mg unless anyone who's already titrated up to2.4 mgs thinks this has really helped them?
Definitely the appetite suppressant effect has steeply declined in recent months but I'm still happy as I feel able to control myself so much more than I used to..
And I'm able to stay within my calorie allowance. Also exercising has become much easier which really helps.

I’m still bloody plateauing. So annoying! I have lost two stone overall since I started early July, but I’m now on 0.75 and will increase to 1mg next weekend.

I probably need to drink more water and do a little more exercise. I’m on about 1000 to 1200 calories a day. This doesn’t sound much but my TDEE is 1326 so it’s tight for weight loss.

I have a 1mg pen in the fridge and will try to source another if I can get it for £200 or less. Otherwise I might have to come off and try to lose the remaining stone myself 😟

6 stone down today, I started Ozempic in Feb and came off it due to the pricing and availability issues in June. It's much harder without it but I have stuck to my new lifestyle and am still losing on average a pound a week. I just wanted to check in to say it is possible to keep losing after you stop, you just need to use your time on it wisely to make lifestyle changes and form new habits. Sorry if this sounds preachy. I fit into a pair of size 10 jeans yesterday, I was a 24 in February. It makes all the mental effort and hard work worth it.

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 thank you so much. I've just checked and I am always under my TDEE so that's reassuring. I'm sure the plateau will stop soon. I've not excercised as much this week but will get back on it next week. Sunday is Diwali so all bets are off then!
But back to it on Monday!
Have a wonderful weekend all . And msy the new year bring you prosperity and joy and health xx

@FiveCows the gall stones are out of your control, I got them a few years ago after losing less than a stone over several months and had my gallbladder out then. I wouldn't worry too much about it, jus be aware it's a fairly common (and awful) side effect of weight loss.

@Karmakamelion thank you, and the same to you!

@MalibuBetty that is astounding, really well done. And very encouraging to hear.