GLP-1 meds: conflicting advice. Help!

Val_53

Val_53

Well-known member
I'm a 23 year old female, about 5'3" and weigh around 225 lbs. I was always pretty slim until I hit puberty, usually hovering between 125 and 130 lbs. But I slowly gained weight, especially in college, and it's just kept going up.

I don't have any underlying health issues besides being overweight, and nobody else in my family struggles with weight. I'm really aiming to get back to 130 lbs within a year, which I know is a HUGE goal. But I'm honestly just so tired of feeling bad about myself.

So here's the thing: some doctors at my family doctor's office told me to avoid GLP-1 meds (like Ozempic) because of my age. They think I should just focus on changing my lifestyle. But when I went to a weight management clinic, the doctor there said that losing that much weight only through diet and exercise probably isn't realistic. She even suggested that losing 100 lbs might be impossible, and basically implied I'm stuck this way forever!

The weight management clinic felt really rushed. They said I might not need to be on the medication forever, but didn't explain what happens AFTER I stop taking it. Side effects were glossed over too. I was told that Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro were possibilities, and that some have fewer side effects than others. My family doctor acted like Ozempic and Wegovy were the same thing!

Since I'm in Canada, my basic health coverage won't cover any of these meds. It's all out-of-pocket, and the "better" options are more expensive. So, I have a couple of questions for those with experience:

* If I stop the medication, how likely is it that I'll regain a lot of the weight? What's the long-term success rate?

* Is it even possible to lose 100 lbs in a year through just diet and exercise? I KNOW it won't be easy, but I used to be thin — why can't I be again?

* I'm also worried about the serious health risks I've read about online. I don't want to end up in the hospital or with long-term organ damage from the medication.
 
Why the rush to lose it in a year? Aiming for 1-2 pounds a week is a reasonable goal. Slow and steady is easier to sustain.

Lifestyle changes are essential; they aren't optional. If you don't make real changes to your eating and activity habits, you're almost guaranteed to end up back where you started, or worse after stopping the meds.

Those scary side effects you read about? They often happen when people take the meds and DON'T focus on healthy habits. Malnutrition and muscle loss can really mess you up. So, tracking calories and getting the right nutrients is important.

The medication is a tool, not a miracle. You still need to put in the work to make lasting change. Oh, and Ozempic and Wegovy are basically the same thing. Same drug, different dosages, different branding (diabetes vs. weight loss). I think there's a generic version coming to Canada later this year, so keep an eye out.
 
There is a generic ozempic coming out in Canada sometime this year around summer or the end of the year. Should bring the cost down quite a bit.
 
Some of the comments here are off base. People don't just "successfully lose weight and keep it off" all the time. Most people who lose weight through diet and exercise alone gain it back. Obesity is a chronic and complicated condition.

So, yes, make healthy changes, because you'll need to even with meds. But the meds give you a much better chance of success. You're young and could bounce back, but obesity changes your body, and it gets harder as you age. Don't worry about being on meds for life right now. You can always adjust later. Get to your goal first, then decide what to do.
 
I lost nearly 100 lbs through diet and exercise alone back in 2007. I'm 5'1", and my starting weight was 220 lbs. I followed a very strict diet and walked on a treadmill for hours daily. I had time since I was on leave.

Then, life happened. I met someone, became less active, and fell back into old habits. After he passed, I gained everything back. Last year, I started Ozempic and lost about 100 lbs again, but I still want to drop another 20. It's possible, but it takes work, new habits, and dealing with people who might not want you to succeed. Like my MIL who would ask why I buy yogurt when ice cream is cheaper!
 
I tried so hard to lose weight the "natural way" with diet and exercise for years, it never worked for me and it was so frustrating. Only when I reached my 40's was I diagnosed with a metabolic issue by an endocrinologist. GLP-1's have helped me lose over 100 pounds.

My self-esteem and physical well-being suffered for too long. I wish I could have taken GLP-1's sooner! I nearly died from complications of being overweight and I'll have health problems for life because of it.

I haven't had many side effects from the medication, but I'm careful. I eat clean, track calories and macros. If I eat something spicy or fatty, I take digestive enzymes. I also exercise and take supplements to help with any bone or muscle loss.

From day one, I make sure to get enough protein, water, and fiber. Water and fiber keep everything moving. GLP-1's love protein!

If I feel off, I focus on protein and hydration, and it usually solves the problem. The biggest challenge has been the cost since I pay out of pocket. I wish your doctors were more supportive. A good medical team makes a difference.

I'm also in 🇨🇦. Get another opinion if you need to.

Some people stay on these meds, others do well after stopping. Check out these subreddits:

Good luck!
 
I'll clarify the differences between the meds:

There are two main medications in this class right now (there are others, but they are older and less effective for weight loss).

Semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Semaglutide = Ozempic and Wegovy (same drug, different uses).

Tirzepatide = Mounjaro and Zepbound (same drug, different uses).

They both work, but semaglutide only works on the GLP1 system. Tirzepatide works on both the GLP1 and GIP systems. GLP1 is where most of the GI side effects come from. Meaning tirzepatide may have fewer side effects and better weight loss because it works on two systems.

Semaglutide is all GLP1.

Tirzepatide's GIP impact is 5x greater than it's GLP1 effect.

So, your doctor was right about Ozempic = Wegovy, but not if they implied that it = Zepbound/Mounjaro.
 
I'd recommend Mounjaro over Ozempic. It's been much more effective for me, and I've tried both. Plus, Mounjaro can be cheaper with the savings card!
 
It was a struggle just to get prescribed Ozempic. I kept being told I wasn't "fat enough" and to just "try diet and exercise" like I hadn't been doing that for years! I was so frustrated. My mental health was tanking, and weight loss was taking over my life. I knew I needed some help.

Things have changed so much since starting. I've lost about 30 lbs in 6 months (though I was on a low dose for a while and didn't see progress until I increased it). For the first time, I'm not constantly battling cravings. I'm in Canada too, and it costs me $261 per month with the Ozempic savings card, but it's worth it. I'm definitely spending way less money on food.
 
Anyone who tells you that you can't lose that much weight is wrong. I've dropped 90 pounds. It took a little over a year, but it's totally possible. I do think I'll be on this stuff for the rest of my life though.
 
I have a family member who is your age and weight and lost the weight and is now trying to lower the dosage. Who knows if it will work, but your doctor and weight loss clinic failed you. Just try it and see! Get the meds, see if they work, change your lifestyle, and then lower the dose once you've lost the weight. You might be able to stop taking it, who knows? Find a new doctor!
 
Check out getgambit.ca if you want to get GLP-1 meds.

You need a plan for when you stop taking it. Whether it's a diet or calorie counting, you need to monitor things after because the medication controls hunger. Without it, you'll get hungry again and need to make good choices.
 
Go for it! Here's a helpful link:

People in that sub talk about how it feels to have "normal" hunger cues.

"Naturally" only works when your hormones are balanced. Medication can normalize hormones, which allows those "normal" weight loss behaviors to actually work.
 
Yeah, you can totally lose weight naturally with hard work and lifestyle changes. Like the doctors always say, lol
TargetShopper92 said:
Medication can normalize hormones, which allows those "normal" weight loss behaviors to actually work.
Click to expand...
This is so true! It's like evening the playing field.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone! It's really helpful to hear different perspectives. I'm still torn, but feeling a little more informed.
 
I'm annoyed by doctors who are so judgmental about medications. I saw someone mention their doctor shaming them for taking semaglutide, saying she's losing baby weight "the right way" with diet and exercise. Doctors should be supportive, not make people feel bad! So unprofessional.
 
It's frustrating when doctors aren't educated about weight management. Like telling someone that semaglutide is "new" when it's been around for years. So many clinical trials and patient experiences... it's not like we don't know anything about it! The risks of being obese often outweigh the risks of the medication.
 
It's not cool for a doctor to shame you like that. You can always find a new one! I've fired doctors before. There are plenty of better ones out there. Seems some of these doctors are uneducated on newer treatments.
 
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