It seems everyone is talking about the new weight loss drugs. Semaglutide and whatever else it is called (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, etc) seems to be a miracle drug for weight loss. Hollywood stars are shedding weight. There is even an insult out there called “Ozempic Face” that describes a gaunt skeletal facial appearance of someone who has lost too much weight too fast with these drugs. What is this all about? Is there a problem, or is this a solution for many? I’m glad to share my experience with Ozempic to try to bust any false narratives.
I am a Type 2 Diabetic. Over the years, I had gained about 80 pounds over my college weight. I had a waist size of 40, and that was sometimes tight. My Diabetes was considered “under control” by my doctor, but that was counting 7 daily pills that I took to keep everything under control. Nothing really seemed to help me. I tried dieting. I worked out heavily including way too much money spent on a personal trainer. I was convinced that I would live life in this fashion moving forward.
I switched my primary physician, as I believed I wasn’t receiving the best care possible. I was tired of being prescribed more and more medication to take daily. I called around to friends to find out who would best take care of my health while actually listening to me. I was referred repeatedly to Dr. Ivan Morrin with Baptist Health in Georgetown, KY. Dr. Morrin came exactly as advertised. He asked questions, and he listened to my answers. He advised me on best steps to take care of myself in a non-judgmental way. He always tried to make things work for me instead of forcing me to work with any sort of program.
Then he asked me about Ozempic. Would I be willing to give it a chance? I was concerned that it was just another medication to be taking. Also, I was worried about side effects. Dr. Morrin assured me that he has patients that have eliminated their need for medications, and they have been able to reduce their blood sugar to non-Diabetic ranges. He said we could start with a low dose, and I could always stop if I felt anything negative.
I took Dr. Morrin’s advice, and I started with the lowest possible dose of .25. Ozempic comes in a preloaded pen with 4 small needle attachments. You screw on the needle, and you give yourself a shot in your abdomen or one of your thighs once a week. Within 2 weeks, I started to notice a major difference. I started eating less. My cravings for food were nowhere near what they had been in the past. When eating a meal, I could feel myself getting full. I regularly stopped eating before my plate was empty. Then the pounds started melting off.
One pound a day. Sometimes I’d look at the scale, and I might have lost two in a day. Before I knew it, I was down 10 pounds. Clothes were noticeably looser. I worried that I might be dehydrated, but that was not it. I was just eating less! I’ve read the horror stories online about what these types of drugs do to your digestive system. I’ve had no such experience. No pain. No issues. Just weight loss!
I have graduated to a higher dose of the medication. .25 goes to .50, which goes to 1.0, and finally you top out at 2.0 mg shots once per week. Over a six month period of time while increasing my dose of Ozempic, I have eliminated 7 daily pills that I was taking to “control” my Diabetes. My A1C is in the normal range, and I have technically fallen out of the Diabetes range. I am at my college weight now, and I’ve had to buy a whole new wardrobe. Where size 40 waist was sometimes tight around my belly, now a 36 is kind of loose. The only negative side effect has been a slight upset stomach for 2 days after increasing my doses. That goes away quickly. Also if I forget to eat for a day, I will get horrible heartburn. As long as I eat something for each meal, that is easily avoided.
People who have not seen me in months will look shocked at the weight loss. While it’s tempting to say I’ve just dieted and worked hard to lose weight, I’m always careful to give the truthful answer. Sometimes admitting that the secret to my weight loss is Ozempic gets a shocked look from people. I’ve had some who still congratulate me on the weight loss, and I’ve had others who have advised me that I have made a mistake.
Is this type of drug for everyone? Obviously no. For one, the price can be heavy. As a Diabetic who was prescribed this medication by my primary physician, I pay $25 monthly for my Ozempic. If you are prescribed this medication for weight loss purposes, your insurance company may take as much of the charges for the medication. I’ve heard stories of patients paying $750 monthly for the same shots. It is best to take the advice of your primary care physician. For me Dr. Morrin was able to ensure that this drug would work with my body and my lifestyle.
The results for me have been worth the risk with little side effects. Yes I’ve had to buy new clothes, but that has been a small price to pay to feel better. One shot a week has replaced handfuls of pills. I eat less, and I have more energy. Having less weight also means less of a chance of heart disease or other physical complications. My blood pressure is now in the healthy range, and my cholesterol is normal. All of this means I will be able to live a longer life to share with my family. This drug has definitely been a life changer for me, and I recommend discussing it with your doctor if you have the same issues I had.
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