Weight Loss Injection check-in 2024

[expectantsteelerfan]

Aug 5, 2024 14:18:01 GMT -5 Patsy Baloney said:

Does anyone else’s insurance coverage make them do patronizing nutrition courses before completing pre-authorization? I just don’t think this is for me. It’s all honestly too much work, when weight loss is already *so much work*.

Mine requires me to meet with the nutritionist briefly at every appt I have with the doctor who prescribed the meds. It is SO annoying and I complain about it every time. He asks me the same questions (do you drink liquid protein? Skip meals? Eat fast food or drink sugary drinks?) but he is kind and encouraging and it's brief. My appts are really spread out now too, so I'm willing to just put up with it to get the meds.

[somersault72]

I've been on Wegovy for a long time (almost 2 years) and I lost around 70lbs the 1st year and I've been stalled close to a year now (probably have a good 40 more pounds to lose). I have an appointment tomorrow and I'm going to ask to switch to Zepbound. Part of the issue is this year our employer has made things a lot more difficult to stay on the medication. There are only 2 locations we can go to now and we can only use 1 pharmacy (which that part is great--they just ship it to my house). I don't know that that was their intention, they are just trying to keep costs down, but the first year I saw the same provider each visit and tomorrow I'll be seeing my 3rd provider in as many visits so that's been difficult. Anyway, hoping to break through this long stall.

[pugz]

Aug 6, 2024 9:57:30 GMT -5 somersault72 said:

I've been on Wegovy for a long time (almost 2 years) and I lost around 70lbs the 1st year and I've been stalled close to a year now (probably have a good 40 more pounds to lose). I have an appointment tomorrow and I'm going to ask to switch to Zepbound. Part of the issue is this year our employer has made things a lot more difficult to stay on the medication. There are only 2 locations we can go to now and we can only use 1 pharmacy (which that part is great--they just ship it to my house). I don't know that that was their intention, they are just trying to keep costs down, but the first year I saw the same provider each visit and tomorrow I'll be seeing my 3rd provider in as many visits so that's been difficult. Anyway, hoping to break through this long stall.

the research says Zepbound is more effective than Wegovy so hopefully you'll see some more progress. 

[hazelden]

I've been in maintenance for a year by taking it every 4-6 weeks. I started taking it a little more often lately because my set point weight seems to be 135 and I'd like to be closer to 128. I'm 5'1" in case that matters.

Yesterday I ordered 2 months of compounded tirzepatide from Lavender Sky Health for a total of $500 ($60 for the consult and $440 for 2 months of meds). I still have 6 boxes of Mounjaro in my fridge that I hoarded during the $25 per month coupon days, but I don't want to deplete my stash too much while chasing these last few pounds.

[kmpls]

Went to fill .5 wegovy and the pharmacy says they will be out of stock for weeks and the closest one in stock is like 30 miles away. Ugh.

[notsopicky]

Clinic check-in yesterday! 20 lbs down in exactly 8 weeks. I am so proud of myself, lol. InBody showed that my muscle mass # went up, and I was super stoked about that; I had purposefully upped my protein since the last appt. Now on .5 of W and since I just started it (Sunday), I am going to message my provider next week to see how I feel about going up to 1.0 (I will need a new 'script before my next check-in).

What has everyone's experience been with increasing dosage? Meaning, how long were you on each level of W, how did you feel at each dose and what was your WL amount? I stayed on .25 for 2 months, and I could tell that it was definitely time to go up towards the end of the second box (and maybe I should have gone up to .5 after a month, I'll never really know).

[zarapipe]

Nsv- I went to Belk tonight to get my dd one item and for the first time in…idk 1-2 years I bought something that wasn’t an oversized tee shirt. I got 8 tops and I actually felt good in them! One size smaller than I was 5 months ago.

This month my weight loss has slowed, I’m down 5lbs in the past 31 days, but I’m just koko and knowing that each pound adds up.

[weightlossae]

I’m wondering if anyone is T2 and is not using insulin and has gone from 5to 7.5 on mounjaro. I’m currently on 5 and my numbers are well controlled 90-120 for the most part. He said I could move up to 7.5 if I wanted and it affects everyone differently. I have four more weeks of 5 to decide and I can always go back to 5 if I’m getting too many lows. I don’t use a cgm by choice.

Just wondering if anyone is in this situation and can tell me how their numbers changed.

[followyourarrow]

Aug 13, 2024 19:35:32 GMT -5 weightlossae said:

I’m wondering if anyone is T2 and is not using insulin and has gone from 5to 7.5 on mounjaro. I’m currently on 5 and my numbers are well controlled 90-120 for the most part. He said I could move up to 7.5 if I wanted and it affects everyone differently. I have four more weeks of 5 to decide and I can always go back to 5 if I’m getting too many lows. I don’t use a cgm by choice.

Just wondering if anyone is in this situation and can tell me how their numbers changed.

I'm T2 and don't take insulin.  I'm currently on 7.5 and my bs numbers are 80-100.  I do have more lows on 7.5 than I did on 5.  I do use a cgm, but I love mine and appreciate that it gives me a heads up about the lows.  Weight loss has stalled after 4 months on 7.5 so I'm considering moving up to 10, but I'm hesitant about what it will do to my bs.

[sadie]

After 2 years and a 70lb loss, I am tapering off. I would have considered staying on long term, but I'm having some pancreas/spleen issues that my doc thinks are related to GLP-1. It's been a good run.

[weightlossae]

Aug 14, 2024 7:59:03 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Aug 13, 2024 19:35:32 GMT -5 weightlossae said:

I’m wondering if anyone is T2 and is not using insulin and has gone from 5to 7.5 on mounjaro. I’m currently on 5 and my numbers are well controlled 90-120 for the most part. He said I could move up to 7.5 if I wanted and it affects everyone differently. I have four more weeks of 5 to decide and I can always go back to 5 if I’m getting too many lows. I don’t use a cgm by choice.

Just wondering if anyone is in this situation and can tell me how their numbers changed.

I'm T2 and don't take insulin.  I'm currently on 7.5 and my bs numbers are 80-100.  I do have more lows on 7.5 than I did on 5.  I do use a cgm, but I love mine and appreciate that it gives me a heads up about the lows.  Weight loss has stalled after 4 months on 7.5 so I'm considering moving up to 10, but I'm hesitant about what it will do to my bs.

Do you remember where you were on 5? I was still on Levemir when I was taking 2.5 so I don’t have anything to compare to.

[followyourarrow]

Aug 14, 2024 11:45:42 GMT -5 weightlossae said:

Aug 14, 2024 7:59:03 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

I'm T2 and don't take insulin.  I'm currently on 7.5 and my bs numbers are 80-100.  I do have more lows on 7.5 than I did on 5.  I do use a cgm, but I love mine and appreciate that it gives me a heads up about the lows.  Weight loss has stalled after 4 months on 7.5 so I'm considering moving up to 10, but I'm hesitant about what it will do to my bs.

Do you remember where you were on 5? I was still on Levemir when I was taking 2.5 so I don’t have anything to compare to.

I was on Mounjaro at 5.  My blood sugar was a little higher, more around 100-120, so I like the decrease moving up has given me.  I've dropped maybe 10 lbs in the 4 months I've been on 7.5.

[followyourarrow]

I'm getting frustrated. I've been on Mounjaro 7.5 for 6 months and the weight loss has slowed way down, in fact I gained a pound this week. I looked back at my records and I've dropped 5 lbs in the last month. That's actually still quite reasonable right? I should stick with the same dose for another month? I'm missing the higher losses and the steadier losses. I'm upping protein and getting more steps in. Any other suggestions?

[mommin]

Aug 19, 2024 10:41:41 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

I'm getting frustrated. I've been on Mounjaro 7.5 for 6 months and the weight loss has slowed way down, in fact I gained a pound this week. I looked back at my records and I've dropped 5 lbs in the last month. That's actually still quite reasonable right? I should stick with the same dose for another month? I'm missing the higher losses and the steadier losses. I'm upping protein and getting more steps in. Any other suggestions?

5 lbs is great for a month, especially after 6 months. Are you having any side effects? If not, there’s definitely an appeal to staying where you are. In your situation, my doc would probably suggest I stay at 7.5 for one more month, but he’s pretty conservative.
How much water are you drinking? Water seems to be the impetus to get me over plateaus.

[followyourarrow]

Aug 19, 2024 11:18:06 GMT -5 mommin said:

Aug 19, 2024 10:41:41 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

I'm getting frustrated. I've been on Mounjaro 7.5 for 6 months and the weight loss has slowed way down, in fact I gained a pound this week. I looked back at my records and I've dropped 5 lbs in the last month. That's actually still quite reasonable right? I should stick with the same dose for another month? I'm missing the higher losses and the steadier losses. I'm upping protein and getting more steps in. Any other suggestions?

5 lbs is great for a month, especially after 6 months. Are you having any side effects? If not, there’s definitely an appeal to staying where you are. In your situation, my doc would probably suggest I stay at 7.5 for one more month, but he’s pretty conservative.
How much water are you drinking? Water seems to be the impetus to get me over plateaus.

No side effects, the food noise is back some, but not completely.  Upping water is a good idea! I get 80-100 ounces and should be getting more like 120 at my current weight.

[picksthemusic]

0.5-1lb/week is ideal weight loss for being able to keep it off and for your body to regulate itself easier; also for skin recovery. If you feel good and your side-effects are minimal, I'd say it's still working and you can KOKO for a while longer. I stayed on 5 the longest of all the doses I've been on so far (roughly 6 months).

I had stalled significantly (and had gained back about 5lbs) on 7.5 before I messaged my doctor about increasing my dose of MJ to 10. I think (really this time haha) that 10 is my magic dose. I have a great balance of food noise reduction, appetite control, BS control, and weight loss. My BMs are consistent, and I am THISCLOSE to being in the 150s. My goal weight is still 145 (I'm 4'11" so it'd still be in the upper range of the obese category of the BMI - which I know is BS), but I feel really good and like I'm finally in the home stretch of this journey. I can't believe I'm almost there a little over a year after starting injections! This drug is truly a miracle.

[vmars]

I am close to my goal weight and wanted to know how you guys have handled that. My doctor said at our last appointment I can try and wean off when I get to my goal weight but some people need to stay on a little bit long term. I don’t mind staying on it long term, but do you still lose weight? Is it hard to maintain?

[pugz]

Aug 21, 2024 20:44:50 GMT -5 vmars said:

I am close to my goal weight and wanted to know how you guys have handled that. My doctor said at our last appointment I can try and wean off when I get to my goal weight but some people need to stay on a little bit long term. I don’t mind staying on it long term, but do you still lose weight? Is it hard to maintain?

I plan to stay on a maintenance dose. 1.7 and 2.4 are both approved for that (Wegovy)

[notsopicky]

What's the best thing about taking these meds? For me, it's the change in habit they allow when eating at restaurants. Part of my deal with weight gain was portion control and eating out of boredom (if I see it, I'll eat it), because I couldn't recognize fullness. I would hoover a meal at a restaurant on the regular. Now, I eat just a small portion of it and take the rest home for 1-2 meals.

My dad was in town last night and we took him to a steakhouse, (which he loved). I ordered a 4 med shrimp cocktail w/ mustard sauce (app), a 6 oz filet, which came with 3 pieces of broccolini, about a 1/2 cup of potato mash, and the server brought us a comp side of brussels. I ate 2 1/2 shrimp (I shared with my son), about 1/3 of the steak, the broc, 3-4 bites of the potato and maybe 4 brussels. And I was full.

It feels very liberating. I was beholden to the plate, and to food, and I finally feel like I am in control and free of the madness in my own mind.

[shauni27]

Aug 21, 2024 20:44:50 GMT -5 vmars said:

I am close to my goal weight and wanted to know how you guys have handled that. My doctor said at our last appointment I can try and wean off when I get to my goal weight but some people need to stay on a little bit long term. I don’t mind staying on it long term, but do you still lose weight? Is it hard to maintain?

I am here as well. I am on the highest dose, however, and I am nervous to wean off it. Ideally I would like to lose 6 more lbs but I know I am healthy right now and it is my own vanity that is making me want to lose those last 6.

I spoke with my doctor and we decided to keep me on the 15 for now, mostly because it is hard to find anything else, but instead of doing it every 7 days to do it every 10. Then every 12 days in a couple months. Etc.

My colleague stopped hers cold turkey when she hit her goal and has not put on any weight. She has maintained for 6 months now without it and said it was great.

[picksthemusic]

Aug 21, 2024 20:44:50 GMT -5 vmars said:

I am close to my goal weight and wanted to know how you guys have handled that. My doctor said at our last appointment I can try and wean off when I get to my goal weight but some people need to stay on a little bit long term. I don’t mind staying on it long term, but do you still lose weight? Is it hard to maintain?

Once I hit goal weight, I'm going to try and space out injections to 10 days and see how it goes. If it works, great. If I continue to lose, I'll space to 2 weeks. I think it's different for everyone.

[Jalapeñomel]

Went to Disney, walked like 5 miles a day and managed to gain 2 lbs, despite not really eating that much crap. 🤷‍♀️

[followyourarrow]

Jalapeñomel, I always gain a lot of water weight on vacation. If I give it a good week, I'll be back down where I was. The scale sucks though.

[Jalapeñomel]

Aug 23, 2024 8:39:40 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Jalapeñomel, I always gain a lot of water weight on vacation. If I give it a good week, I'll be back down where I was. The scale sucks though.

Seems crazy to me, but you must be right! I feel like I sweated out all the water! lol

[fluffycookie]

Aug 23, 2024 7:25:50 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Went to Disney, walked like 5 miles a day and managed to gain 2 lbs, despite not really eating that much crap. 🤷‍♀️

Whenever it's really hot I tend to retain a ton of water.  It could be that.

[vmars]

Aug 21, 2024 23:02:45 GMT -5 pugz said:

Aug 21, 2024 20:44:50 GMT -5 vmars said:

I am close to my goal weight and wanted to know how you guys have handled that. My doctor said at our last appointment I can try and wean off when I get to my goal weight but some people need to stay on a little bit long term. I don’t mind staying on it long term, but do you still lose weight? Is it hard to maintain?

I plan to stay on a maintenance dose. 1.7 and 2.4 are both approved for that (Wegovy)

I am on Wegovy 1.7 now, but I don’t like this dose. I am losing a little more overall but the side effects have been bad. I have been really nauseous and if I don’t take Zofran, I will be dry heaving or throwing up in the morning. I really liked 1 mg and the doc is moving me back down to that dose.

[picksthemusic]

Jalapeñomel, it's for sure water retention. Hydrate with some electrolytes for a couple of days and you should balance out. Plus, walking builds muscle!

[Jalapeñomel]

Thanks y’all for reassuring me!

[mellymel]

Aug 23, 2024 7:25:50 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Went to Disney, walked like 5 miles a day and managed to gain 2 lbs, despite not really eating that much crap. 🤷‍♀️

I always gain after a vacation, despite my activity levels and my eating habits. Anytime I take a flight I retain water. Also in higher heat I retain water. I bet you it will whoosh right off in the next week!

[soccermama]

I had a really good check-up with my doctor last Friday. My A1C continued to drop & my fasting number was perfect. I was down 4 lbs since last appt which surprised me. My BP was good!

However, she wants to switch me from Ozempic to Mounjaro to see if that will help kick-start more weight loss. Although, the Ozempic seems to be helping my A1C numbers so I hope Mounjaro keeps up in that regard. I guess I should do a little more research on it before I start.