Vacay break from GLP-1s?

[Avery_96]

So, my friend (RS) is going to Italy for like, 2 weeks. Lots of pasta and wine involved, LOL. RS is thinking about just pausing their low-dose GLP-1 so they can really enjoy it without feeling restricted. Any thoughts on just stopping before the trip and maybe lowering the dose a smidge when they get back?

 

[VitaRN]

I cruised for 8 days and actually *lost* weight while staying on my meds. Wild! But... Italy? I'd pause. Enjoy the food! Life's too short to miss out on real gelato.

 

[Liftxo]

I took a break from brand name semaglutide once. Sometimes you just gotta YOLO. No big deal when I went back on it.

 

[Checkup]

I paused mine when I had the flu. Didn't want to compound the fatigue. Skipped one week, no dose changes afterward.

 

[MetabolicMindset]

Two weeks won't ruin your progress. It's like 3500 cals for a lb of fat, right? Most gain is water from the extra carbs and salt. Enjoy the vacation; get back on track when you're back.

 

[Glp-Won-Kanobi]

I did this for a Japan trip recently. Ramen was calling my name, and customs can be weird. Went cold turkey for two weeks, restarted when I got back. Ramen was amazing, and it reminded me how much I dislike being constantly hungry.

 

[Liftxo]

Oh man, Glp-Won-Kanobi I LOVED the ramen in Japan!

 

[InsulinResistant]

I only stopped before a colonoscopy per my doc. I'm on Ozempic, so no explanations needed. Restarted as usual.

 

[Avery_96]

I'm not stressed about weight gain, just wondering about dosage adjustments afterward.

 

[MetabolicMindset]

I can't see it making any difference. Maybe go a tiny bit lower the first week back if you're nervous. You'll be okay.

 

[SemaGotMe]

Piggybacking on this thread... did you pack your injections, or just skip 'em until you were home?

 

[Liftxo]

I plan to draw what I need from my pen into a sterile vial and put it in my checked luggage. I’ve traveled with meds in a cooler with ice packs, TSA doesn't usually care much. For a week, it's fine without refrigeration.

 

[VitaRN]

I just brought mine on board. No issues at all.

 

[InsulinResistant]

So, my friend (RS) is going to Italy for like, 2 weeks. Lots of pasta and wine involved, LOL. RS is thinking about just pausing their low-dose GLP-1 so they can really enjoy it without feeling restricted. Any thoughts on just stopping before the trip and maybe lowering the dose a smidge when they get back?

If RS is worried, they could try splitting the dose when they restart. Like half the dose on day one and the other half a few days later.

 

[Avery_96]

If RS is worried, they could try splitting the dose when they restart. Like half the dose on day one and the other half a few days later.

That's a thought! They're using a pen, so it's adjustable. I'll pass that on!

 

[MetabolicMindset]

Splitting doses can help some people reduce side effects. If RS feels rough coming back on, that might be a good approach.

 

[VitaRN]

I wish I was going to Italy! Good luck to RS, I hope they have a wonderful trip!

 

[PlateauBuster]

Most people find the real risk of a two-week break isn't the weight - it's rediscovering how loud food noise can get when the suppression lifts, which makes the restart feel harder than expected.

 

[chickpea_recomp]

The anesthesia protocol question has been evolving - the earlier guidance to stop GLP-1s before surgery was based on aspiration risk from delayed gastric emptying, but current guidance varies by anesthesiologist and procedure type. Not stopping is increasingly common for short procedures with appropriate fasting.