Posts by Megan Anderson5

Hey! Huge congrats on dropping 5 pounds—that is seriously such a sweet spot to hit! Honestly, that’s pretty much exactly what I manage to lose every single month too.

As far as meal plans go, I’m probably not your best source of info because, let's be real, my appetite hasn't actually vanished, it's just sort of... dialed down? So I usually just stick to three solid meals and maybe grab a piece of fruit if I'm feeling like my usual self.

I just had my first check-up with my endocrinologist after three months, and they told me I don't need to head back in for another six to eight months, though I still see my nutritionist every six weeks without fail.

Ugh, I am seriously counting down the days until this whole process is over so I can finally get my life back to normal!

Amy Kim25 said:Hey Megan Anderson5, you are absolutely crushing this! How are you actually feeling deep down? Are you feeling super pumped about everything, or are you still having those "is this really happening?" moments on certain days? I'm also dying to know if your mood has been riding a rollercoaster at all—like, what’s been the biggest hurdle or the toughest part of this whole journey for you?

I was just scrolling back through everything you've posted, and honestly, your discipline is totally next level—it's seriously impressive!

So, what’s your take on the medication these days? Like, do you honestly feel like you could crush your goals without it, or is it basically the secret sauce you absolutely need to stay on track for the long haul?

I finally scored my second appointment with the endocrinologist, so fingers crossed we actually get somewhere! I did end up getting an A1 referral for this first visit, though I’m low-key stressing that they might hit me with some red tape regarding certain tests since I don't have a D1 yet—it feels like trying to drive a Ferrari with a learner's permit or something—but honestly, whatever happens, I just need to get the ball rolling!

Hey! You were talking about that protein pudding earlier—which one was it exactly? Was it that one from Lascaux in the little cups? I actually spotted some soy ones over at CVS the other day and gave them a shot, and honestly, they were pretty tasty!

Hey! So, right around the time I dropped my last post, I started dealing with some major gallbladder issues, and now I’m actually heading in for surgery next week! My endocrinologist told me to totally clear my system and take nothing at all until the procedure is done, plus about a week after that too. So, for almost two weeks now, I've been completely off both my Wegovy and Metformin.

I used to think that being constantly hungry was just some minor annoyance, you know, like a little background noise, but now that I’m off everything, it’s hitting me like a freight train how insane my appetite actually is and how much I truly rely on those meds! It's been such a rollercoaster because I've already put on about 6 pounds in just the last two weeks, so I am seriously counting down the days until this phase is over and I can finally get back to eating normally again!
I'm currently stuck on this super strict gallbladder diet where I can't touch anything greasy, but then they also basically ban almost all fruits and veggies! It’s like being told you can have the breadbasket but none of the salad, so I’ve just been absolutely crushing pasta and potatoes every single day to get by.

So, everyone keeps insisting that these meds aren't the direct culprit behind what I'm going through, but honestly, it just doesn't sit right with me! Like, those stones didn't just pop up out of thin air over the last three months—they've been building up for years, you know? Even though the doctors say they shouldn't mess with my upcoming surgery, I’m playing it super safe and skipping them for now just to be extra cautious!

Honestly, I’m feeling a little rattled mentally right now. It’s like my brain just goes into overdrive and I start overdoing everything, especially when it comes to food—I feel like I'm constantly starving even when I'm definitely not! Plus, ice cream season is officially here and let me tell you, the motivation to hit the gym is basically non-existent. 🤦 I just know some of you guys totally get where I'm coming from!

Hey! So I actually jumped on that Noom bandwagon too—I think there’s some freebie deal if you sign up through the Wegovy website (or maybe it's always free, honestly, I just stumbled onto Noom after clicking through their page). It’s been pretty chill so far, like, I feel way less like I'm constantly beating myself up, and I'm definitely processing everything much better than before. I'm totally getting back on track, and everything is gonna be just fine!

So yeah, I am officially in this for the long haul! I’m planning on riding this wave and taking whatever they'll let me have, because let’s be real—I still have a massive mountain of weight to climb before I hit what most people would call a "normal" size, so we’re probably looking at a journey that lasts a year or even longer. Right now, there is absolutely no way I could pull this off without Wegovy, but honestly, three months feels like just a blink of an eye, and maybe after ten, eighteen, or twenty-four months, things will start feeling totally different. I’m just crossing my fingers that I won't have to stay on it forever lol, otherwise I'll be totally broke before I know it!

I am totally dialed in when my life actually feels organized and I’m not constantly dealing with random, chaotic curveballs popping up out of nowhere! Since I was basically an athlete from the time I could walk until I hit 25, I’ve got that built-in discipline where pushing myself physically feels like second nature rather than a massive chore. Plus, since I don't have kids or a husband to look after, I've got zero extra responsibilities hanging over my head, and I don't have anyone else relying on me either. Working from home is such a game-changer too, especially because I live right near my parents who whip up home-cooked meals every single day, which honestly makes staying on track feel like a total breeze!

I totally get where you're coming from—life moves so fast that it feels like you can barely catch a breath, let alone carve out a massive chunk of time to actually focus on yourself and all those things you really ought to be doing for your own sake!

Hey! So I’ve just been grabbing whatever basic protein powder I can find because, honestly, I don't know the first thing about this stuff! I picked up some flavors on a site called MyProtein—I went with cookies and cream and vanilla. And get this: I even snagged some sugar-free caramel sauce too, can you actually believe that? 🤣) So I’ve been playing around with some oatmeal recipes lately.

I am absolutely obsessed with those protein puddings you get at Trader Joe's. One girl on here suggested mixing the cherry ones with some oats and it was honestly a total game changer! I highly recommend it, though if you ask me, the chocolate one is the absolute winner, even though they have a bunch of different flavors out there.

Amy Kim25, are you living in New York City too? Where do you go to see your endocrinologist?

From what I’ve gathered, when you first meet an endocrinologist, they basically just hand you a massive list of tests to run, and then you have to go back for a second appointment with all those results before they actually start you on any kind of treatment plan. On top of that, I’ve been seeing a nutritionist every six weeks for check-ins and measurements to stay on track.

Ugh, look at me writing a whole freaking novel again! I just can't seem to wrap my thoughts up concisely—I feel like I'm constantly adding more and more detail.

Anyway, good luck at your appointment! Definitely let me know how everything goes if we don't chat before then.👍

Maria Reed44 said:Hey there,

How long were you on Saxenda? Did you start right at the 0.6 dose, because I’m already sitting at 3.0 on Ozempic and I’m totally lost on what the smart move is here. Should I just jump straight into doing 1.8+1.2? What kind of advice did your doctor give you?

Thanks a million!

Hey! So, I was probably only on it for about a week—just used up one single pen. I jumped right into the 1.2+1.8 combo, and then as soon as I got my hands on the Ozempic, I switched right back over to that! Honestly, it felt like a breeze since I didn't deal with any side effects at all.

Good luck at the endocrinologist with Dorothy! Definitely let us know how everything goes.

Thanks! Yeah, maybe that’s the deal then, who knows?

Both Victoza and Ozempic are made by Novo Nordisk and they both use liraglutide. It’s just that Ozempic doses can go up to 3mg while Victoza only hits 1.8mg.

I finally grabbed some more Ozempic, so fingers crossed this shortage is finally over!

Honestly, I'm not sure if there are any other big differences between them.

Maria Reed44 said:Is anyone else on Ozempic 3.0 right now? How's the appetite? I'm starting my 3.0 dose tomorrow and I'm low-key terrified I'll still be starving all the time. So far, I've lost about 11 pounds in 7 weeks, which isn't bad, but hey, progress is progress!

Hey there! I’ve actually been on 3.0 for a little while now. For me, the side effects usually only pop up right after I bump up the dose—you know, just for a day or two, maybe three. It's mostly just some nausea.

Since I couldn't get my hands on Ozempic for a bit, I was using Victoza, but since those pens don't go up to 3, I had to mix doses like 1.8 and 1.2 to make it work. Now that I'm back on Ozempic, things feel totally different! I've been dropping weight super fast lately. Maybe I should have restarted at the beginning, but I just kept pushing through at 3, and honestly, the weight loss is just flying off now. From late January until today, I’ve lost 37 pounds total, and I am absolutely loving it! I still get hungry sometimes, but it's never like I'm actually dying of hunger. Plus, I'm staying mindful of what I eat and hitting the gym.

If the dose feels like too much, have you thought about dialing it back just a tiny bit? Not all the way down to 2.4, but maybe like 2.4 plus a few extra clicks, which I know some people here do.

As for those air bubbles, from what I can tell, it shouldn't really matter since we aren't injecting into a vein anyway, so it shouldn't be an issue (full disclaimer: I'm definitely not a doctor or a nurse or anything like that)!

That’s exactly how I looked at it too! While you're on it, you're basically training your body by eating clean and sticking to smaller meals, all in the hopes that once you stop, your system will be totally used to this new rhythm and portion sizes so you can just cruise along without needing Wegenda.

As for that whole "getting your hands on it" thing, it's definitely split, but honestly, it seems like it's mostly reserved for those who actually meet the criteria (at least that's my take). I don't think it's just handed out to anyone who asks. I highly doubt any doctor would just write you a prescription for Wegovy without running a bunch of tests first.

Olivia Jackson64 said:Man, you are eating so good! 🙂 With a meal plan like that, the weight should be dropping even faster, but I bet insulin resistance is just slowing things down... seriously, kudos to you! Major respect!

I'm not gonna list out my meals because, honestly, there's nothing to brag about here :-) I'm basically snacking on sweets every single day, so I won't even go there... but once I get started on Ozempic, I'm definitely changing my ways!

Anyway, I just finished my physical and all my results came back looking great—at least the basic stuff they checked. My blood sugar and cholesterol are totally fine. They didn't run an insulin resistance test since it wasn't part of the standard package. I think I’m actually going to ask for a referral to the Mayo Clinic so we can figure out if I officially have a diagnosis or what. I really want to know if I need to be stressing about diabetes or if I'm in the clear, just so we can settle that debate once and for all. 🙂

thanks Olivia Jackson64. I have to watch my budget since Ozempic isn't exactly cheap.

That's awesome, I'm so glad your labs are looking solid!
Just head over to the Mayo Clinic, you've got nothing to lose. Even if everything turns out perfectly, at least you'll have that peace of mind and probably some solid advice to go along with it. 😉

I’m eating totally normally, just definitely not as much as I used to!

Usually, breakfast is something like oatmeal or maybe a protein pudding loaded with blueberries or cherries.

For lunch, I go for the classic combo—some meat, a side, and veggies or a salad. If I’m doing pasta, I always grab the whole grain stuff because it works way better for insulin resistance. I try to follow what my nutritionist suggested, which is basically keeping my plate half veggies, a quarter protein like chicken or fish, and a quarter carbs.

Dinner is usually pretty chill, like one slice of whole grain toast topped with some deli meat, cheese, and a little salad—mostly cucumbers or beets. Sometimes I'll just do toast with an egg, or if I'm feeling fancy, I'll whip up a tuna salad or toss some meat and veggies in the oven (though I keep the portions small).

I’ve cut out all the sugar, pastries, white bread, and soda. When I make meat, veggies, or potatoes, I mostly use my Air Fryer so I can keep the oil to a minimum.

Of course, I don't stay perfect 100% of the time, but I probably slip up about once every two weeks.

I don't bother weighing my food or counting calories anymore. I did that for so long that I have a pretty good mental map of what things are, and honestly, I don't want to get obsessed again—that’s just not good for my headspace.

Someone else should share what they're eating! Maybe we can all find some new inspiration xd

xd

Ashley Walker56 said:Thanks 👍 Megan Anderson5 and hey Charli D'Amelio!

Megan Anderson5 are those two drugs basically the same thing, and could Pfizer be used instead of Saxenda? You think that might work?

Totally, they're both just liraglutide, it's just a different manufacturer making them! With Pfizer, the dosing is a bit different too—like, the actual amounts are the same, but they don't go up to 3mg, I think it maxes out at 1.8mg. I haven't actually tried my own batch yet since I was still using my last Saxenda pen, so you should definitely check with your doctor to be safe. But honestly, you could probably hang tight for a few more weeks, I'm super sure the Sax will show up soon!

Hey there, welcome to the group! 🙂 I’m totally convinced Wegovy is going to be a total game-changer for you.

It’s super hard to find anywhere right now, but honestly, it’s less about the local pharmacies and more about what the big distributors have in stock. From what the folks at CVS told me when I called to check, it should be back on the shelves in a few weeks.

You should definitely check in with your doctor about trying Victoza instead. It’s basically the twin sister of Wegovy, just with a different name on the box! It runs about $105 for a pack of two pens if you can snag it.

Sending you all the good vibes—please let us know how it goes! 🙂

I’m feeling pretty good about where I’m at! I mean, I still get a little bit jealous seeing people drop 10 pounds a month like it’s nothing, but honestly, taking it slow feels way more sustainable so you don't just gain it all back immediately, you know? It’s worth the steady progress.
Since I bumped up to my highest dose, I haven't really dealt with any side effects at all. Everything has just felt super consistent for the last few weeks.

When I found out they were totally out of Saxenda, I decided to scale back my dose a bit just to see if I could stretch it out, and oh man, I swear I felt way hungrier than usual! Maybe it’s just all in my head since people say it takes a minute for Saxenda to actually leave your system, but my body was definitely telling me something different.

I managed to grab some Victoza to use as a substitute, so I'm going to roll with that until I finish off this last Saxenda pen.

Haha, and hey, it is totally normal to feel a little crazy when the holidays roll around—I totally get what you're going through! I'm crossing my fingers that you have a killer fresh start once Easter is over.

Let me know how things went at your checkup, if you don't mind sharing!

User74, did you end up going to your checkup? How’d everything go?

I’m already down 26 pounds after just 9 weeks on Ozempic! It’s been such a wild ride, but honestly, it's super hard to find any in stock right now since everyone's waiting on the big suppliers to restock the shelves.

stormyfalcon4 said:My endocrinologist at the public hospital—not one of those pricey private doctors—is the one who recommends Ozempic to me, and then my primary care physician just writes the prescription based on her word.

Honestly, if you hit that BMI threshold, I don't see why anyone wouldn't just write you the script, since that medication is literally designed for weight management! It’s like, okay, technically they might call it Wegovy instead of Ozempic, but it’s basically the exact same thing under a different label, and since Wegovy isn't widely available here yet, everyone just talks about Ozempic. Until Wegovy becomes the go-to, people keep using the Ozempic name for weight loss because it’s such a powerhouse compared to Saxenda for both managing blood sugar and dropping pounds. If I’m on Ozempic, I probably won't even need extra stuff for my sugar levels, unlike how I'm currently taking Farxiga (or Glucophage before that).

To any "real" doctor out there, there’s really no huge distinction in priority between diabetes and obesity. They are both chronic conditions that require serious medical attention, so one shouldn't necessarily be treated as more important than the other.

Aha, gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up, it makes total sense now! 🙂 I'll definitely bring it up next time I have my appointment with the specialist.

stormyfalcon4 said:Getting Ozempic through Medicare just isn't in the cards for me, and honestly, I don't even qualify! If I remember correctly, you have to have a BMI over 30 plus diabetes that hasn't responded to two other meds. Since Glucophage actually worked for me, I'm just sitting in that pre-diabetes zone—right on the edge, but not quite there. Still, if the supply stabilizes, I'll definitely be paying out of pocket for it.

And look, I won't even pretend—I haven't really kicked off any serious workouts yet (please don't come for meee 😁!). I know for sure the results would be way more epic if I did.

Aha, so based on what everyone is saying in their journals, I've realized it's basically only private doctors handing out those Ozempic prescriptions, while the hospital doctors aren't doing it. That's why I'm saying I'm not a candidate. I actually read on one of those news sites that $233, which is like 250 less than Saxenda. I'd much rather switch over to that, but I seriously doubt my doctor will let me if the shortage is still this crazy.

No one is attacking you! We aren't all here acting like pro athletes 😁 Besides, if I stopped eating entirely and just dropped pounds like crazy, I probably wouldn't even have the energy to care about going to the gym anyway.

Olivia Jackson64 said:Megan Anderson5, hang in there! How are you holding up? Are you getting any decent sleep? Keeping your mind off things with other hobbies? Are you managing to cook for yourself or packing lunches for work?

Just throwing some conversation starters out there!

Honestly, I’m feeling pretty great right now—the nausea has totally cleared up! I definitely get hungry quite often, but it's nothing crazy. I've dropped about 22 pounds in 7 weeks, which feels like a solid win to me because I'm really trying to build those healthy habits with regular meals so I don't just balloon back up once I stop the meds. Because let's be real, once you quit Saxenda, that hunger comes rushing back like a freight train!

Lately, I've been hitting the pavement for over an hour every single day, which is basically my 3.7 miles. I know I really ought to start incorporating some strength training too, but hey, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!

Oh man, it just hit me—I totally forgot about your earlier post! I am also completely obsessed with all those trackers, you know, the step counters, gym logs, weight scales, calorie apps, the whole nine yards. Sometimes they're a total lifesaver, but other times I feel like it would be way better if I didn't have them weighing on my mind. 🤣

Since I work from home, I don't have to worry about lugging meal prep everywhere. I do most of my own cooking, yeah, but I also pop over to my parents' place for lunch pretty frequently (that's the sweet perk of working remotely, haha!). I eat the same stuff they do, I just tweak my portions to follow my nutritionist's guidelines, and they're super cool about it and help me adjust things so we can still eat together. 😁

I actually had my blood pressure spike above 140 🤣 when I first visited the endocrinologist, and I swear I've never seen it that high in my entire life—not before and certainly not since. They told me straight away it was just classic white coat syndrome.

By the way, I did read up on that whole slow titration thing with Saxenda, but my doctor told me to stick strictly to her plan, so I just followed her lead. Besides, it mostly just took the edge off my appetite; it didn't turn me into a monk or anything!

Way to go, Olivia Jackson64, for getting out there and being active; everyone has to start somewhere, and it's definitely a million times better than sitting on the couch. Don't let it get you down! 🎉

And definitely let me know how that checkup goes.

Haha, thanks so much, Nicole Patel2! I just did a quick Google search and yeah, they look like total twins.

Does anyone have the inside scoop on when Wegovy is actually going to hit the shelves here in the States?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy A72

Wow, man, it sounds like it’s working wonders for you! I wish I could say the same thing, honestly lol. Even though I’m on the full dose, I still feel like I’m constantly hunting for snacks. It’s definitely not as crazy as it used to be, but the hunger is still there, and for a while, I was actually sitting here thinking, "Wait, is this Saxenda even doing anything at all?" haha.

It’s clearly hitting the spot for some people, so seriously, lucky you that it’s working so well! As long as it does the trick, go for it!

Unfortunately, I’m not exactly a candidate for Ozempic, so I guess I’ll just have to keep fighting the good fight with what I've got.

Is Wegovy strictly just for folks with diabetes?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy A72

You can snag a pack of 100 for about $15. It’s super easy because you don't have to commit to the whole box if you aren't feeling it—they actually sell them individually too! The ones I'm rocking right now were just $14.30 for the 100-pack.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy A72

Hey there! For me, the first pack lasted about five weeks, but once you bump up to the highest dose, one box only lasts around 18 days. Honestly, the price tag is just ridiculous—I’m really crossing my fingers that they make it more affordable down the road. Right now, I'm paying about $135

From what I've been able to dig up on Google, I haven't found it any cheaper anywhere else in the US. I didn't bother checking prices in Mexico or Canada.

I'm not quite sure what advice I can give you, other than you've gotta stick to a diet or at least eat healthy and keep moving! Without that, you aren't going to see any real progress. I've read that for a ton of people, their appetite basically just vanishes into thin air, but for me, it hasn't even come close to that.

Don't forget that you'll need to pick up the needles too! According to what the manufacturer recommends, you should look for 32G, 8mm ones. Those can be hard to find since they aren't meant for insulin, so maybe try ordering them ahead of time. I've been using different ones, like 31G, but I doubt it makes a massive difference.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy A72