Last week, I shared a little snippet into my journey of losing 130 pounds with the help of Ozempic. I was so scared to start a GLP-1 after seeing so much negativity surrounding it. There were only two narratives out there when I chose to start. It was either this amazing wonder drug or the villainous ruin of the inclusivity movement.
I took down all of your questions and tried to pull together a cohesive list where you can get some much needed information from a real person. I am only one person and there is a flip side to every answer I give. No two people’s experiences will be the same.
I am not a doctor. I am not offering medical advice. I am not suggesting anyone starts on a GLP-1. I am sharing personal stories and anecdotes as they relate to my experience. Please seek advice from a medical professional before making your decision.
How did you get a prescription? I talked to my doctor. I went in advocating for myself, asking for guidance with weight loss, and requesting a referral for VSG. My doctor was the one to suggest giving the GLP-1 route a go first. She thought it could be just as effective as weight loss surgery but far less invasive. If you don’t feel heard or respected in your doctor’s office, I highly suggest looking for a new one. This goes for all areas of health!
Why Ozempic vs other options? This was actually a super black and white answer for myself. My insurance covered Ozempic for me! My doctor initially sent in a prescription for Mounjaro, but my insurance required a diabetes pre-auth for that. I don’t have any tips or tricks, because as soon as she sent a request for Ozempic, they immediately covered it.
How much is it? This is going to be different for every single person. I think the market price is around $1200 for a 30-day supply. For me with insurance, for a few months, my copay is about $450/month, since we have a deductible to meet before full coverage. Once we have met that, it is just a $25 copay.
When do you take your shot? I take my shot on Mondays. I have tried a few different days and times just to experiment, but the longer I am on it, the more cumulative I have come to realize this medicine is. At this point, I feel more or less the same all week long. I don’t really experience any tapering off towards the end of the week or really bad days anymore.
What is your dose? Here is a quick breakdown on my dosage for the last 15 months. I started out at the typical 0.25mg for the first month. I immediately went to the next dose for month two, which was 0.5mg. I wish that I had stayed at the 0.25 for another month because the first bump up was rough. Lots of nausea! I stayed at 0.5mg for about five months, as I was consistently losing. My doctor really stressed that there was no reason to move up if the current dose was doing what I wanted it to do. After about six months on Ozempic, I had a relatively slow month and decided to go up to the 1.0mg dose. After six months on 1.0mg, I made the move to 2.0mg, and I’m still there with no current plans of moving up again.
What negative symptoms have you experienced? Nausea has been my biggest struggle with taking a GLP-1. I often say it is like I have had morning sickness for the last 15 months! I have only actually been sick or vomited a handful of times, but I deal with nausea more or less daily. It is never so bad I can’t function and it comes mostly in waves. I will feel super nauseous for maybe a minute and then it will pass.
There was also a huge mental struggle in the first few months. I had thought I had a good relationship with food, but I didn’t realize how much I used it as a crutch. I had no idea the amount of times I would stare into the fridge or open a cupboard because I just walked past the kitchen… Learning to deal with feelings and boredom without food, was really hard in the beginning.
I am not a doctor, but I think there is something in a GLP-1 that affects dopamine. Not getting that hit of happiness or comfort from eating was so hard to reconcile. I felt like I was mourning the loss of a friend or something!
What is your goal weight? I didn’t have a goal weight or even a goal size. I had goal activities. I wanted to ride the rides at the fair with my kids. Get into a boat with them on a lake. Sit in a chair next to my toddler to read him a book and fit. Be comfortable traveling on an airplane. Swing on the swings, jump on the trampoline, and just sit in chairs in public spaces without fear of fitting or breaking them. I wanted to shop at the mall and find a last minute outfit. I wanted options.
I know everyone should be awarded these simple things, but I was tired of waiting for the world to accommodate me. This is my life, and I wanted to be in control again. At this point, I am happy to maintain the size and weight I am. I don’t feel like I need to lose any more to live how I want to live.
Will you get skin removal surgery? I think so! I am talking to a few doctors now about my options and what would be my best route forward. The excess skin has really done a number on me in terms of body image. I have always wanted a breast lift since I was in high school, so I am probably also going to do that! I don’t have a timeline, but the answer is most likely yes!
I’ve decided to commit to being authentic to myself. My desire for approval from others is moving to the back burner. My peace is more important than others being on my side.
Maddy Gutierrez
Are you having issues getting your prescription filled? Nope. There has only been one month in the past 15 that I have ever had to wait more than 24 hours for my prescription to be filled. I know some people are struggling with access, but my pharmacy has never given me any kind of indication that they are low or like it isn’t accessible. My doctor also likes to remind me that if I didn’t need it, I wouldn’t be on it. If it wasn’t working for me, I wouldn’t be taking it. And if I didn’t qualify, my insurance definitely wouldn’t be covering it. So, I won’t be allowing anyone make me feel like I shouldn’t be taking it.
Has it helped with your PCOS symptoms? Not really that I can tell. My periods have gotten worse and more irregular than ever. My hormonal hair hasn’t stopped nor has the acne, and I still have dark skin patches.
Did you ever plateau? I don’t think a true plateau has ever happened for me. I have had months where things are slower than others, but it all seems to even out in the end. And I chose to up my dose on those low months instead of sticking it out.
How did you change your diet? I didn’t. The game changer for me was realizing that I don’t need to actively do very much different from what I was doing before. Instead of counting calories or tracking macros, I simply prioritize protein when I choose a meal. This has allowed me to eat less without feeling deprived. The result? I have been able to feel like I am fully living my life. I don’t feel obsessive or stressed about being on a diet. I have tried every diet out there and always felt consumed by it every single day. While taking Ozempic, I haven’t once felt left out or like I have to live for the sole purpose of losing weight.
What happens when you are done losing weight? Do you keep taking the medicine? I don’t know! That is the honest truth. Some people wean themselves off the medication, some keep taking it. I can see myself being on this medication for a very long time. My doctor said something along the lines of, “the longer you have struggled with your weight, the longer you probably want to be on it once you have reached your goal. It will help you stay at that weight and maybe reset your body’s set weight point.”
Ozempic isn’t the only medication I am on, and I look at it like many of my other prescriptions. Just because I feel like I can manage my anxiety now that I have the help of my anti-anxiety medicine, doesn’t mean I stop taking it. Maybe one day I will be ready, but not right now. And probably not for a while.
How do you get your protein in? Protein shakes are the key for me. Specifically these from Fairlife. They are the best. But I also eat lots of yogurt and cottage cheese, and I grab things like protein waffles, wraps, and bars at the store to boost my protein when I can. It is hard, but I am proud of myself if I get at least 100g a day. I would love for it to be more, but even 100g is lofty for me.
Can you share how much you lost each month? I didn’t keep a log of how much I lost each month, but I was happy as long as the number was going down. I think I lost an average of about 10 pounds per month for the first 9 months, and then maybe dropped down to about 5-8 pounds per month. It took just under 11 months to lose 100 pounds. Overall, I have lost about 130 pounds in the past 13 months.
Can you share a bit about the emotional aspect? Aside from the shame the world has tried to make me feel for making this choice? I felt a bit like I was betraying myself when I admitted I wasn’t happy in my body. It took a lot to get me to that point, but I had to be honest with myself. And just like everyone says, losing weight isn’t going to fix all of your problems. If you don’t love yourself, losing a few (or a lot!) of pounds isn’t going to change that.
I did so much work to find peace and acceptance over how my body looked before, but I didn’t factor in having to relearn for this new body.
What happens when you stop? No idea! I will cross that bridge when I get there. Getting off or stopping the meds seems to be a big hold-up for a lot of people, but it isn’t something I am personally worried about.
Do you still like the same foods? More or less! Though I don’t crave foods like I used to. I think over time, being on the medicine has reframed my relationship with food a lot. I feel like I can truly listen to what my body wants or needs vs what my brain wants or needs. I choose something like a salad way more now, even when eating out, becaues that is what sounds good. Before, I would choose something to “make eating out worth it” or whatever. I’m not sure if that even makes sense to anyone else!
The one thing I have given up is coffee every morning. And not by my own free will, mind you! I just found myself never being able to finish it or thinking it was gross. One morning, I just didn’t make coffee and didn’t even deal with any headaches or withdrawal. That is when I knew I was barely having any, even on days I made coffee! Now, I just get a coffee as a treat once in a while or when I really need a pick me up after a late night.
I am so excited to share my post next week all about my nonscale victories. There have been so many things I didn’t know I was missing out on or that I would be so excited about!
Thank you so much for your kindness and grace in my decision to share a little about my experience. I know I am not the only person who had feelings of being left out of their own life, and I hope this helps you make the right decision for YOU.
LOVED this blog post! It’s so comforting knowing someone else feels the same way….not having a goal weight but goal activies is a great way to put it! I plan to steal that phrase, if you don’t mind 😅
I truly appreciate the openness – you don’t have to share every detail, but it helps to read (and hear) about someone else’s experience. I had VSG in July 2022, lost exactly 100 lbs, and have plateaued for the last year. I’ve been struggling with whether I need to try a GLP-1 or just accept this is my new body’s normal weight and that I won’t lose any more (and ensure I do my best to maintain). The side effect of nausea is really deterring me – I had some of that with VSG and I’m grateful it has stopped. Zofran was my friend for a while… But the reasons for weight loss are the same – I’m SO much more active, able to keep up with my kids, happy, have pain free movement etc.
Thank you so much for writing this! Having you provide such thorough description of your experience is so helpful for those of us who are thinking about making a change. I have an appointment coming up with my doctor to discuss weight loss. I’m not committed to a GLP-1 but am ready to have an open and honest conversation with my doctor about how I feel and see where she thinks we should go. Thank you ❤️
I have been on the medication for a little over a year. It’s amazing how much it has changed the way I look at food and feel about it. That noise in your head worrying t about food all the time is gone. I have also experienced nausea at times especially when moving up to a new dose. I have found that anti nausea/motion sickness bands help a lot. I put them on before I take the shot (at night) and sleep with them on and take them off in the morning and I’m good to go. If I feel myself ever starting to feel nauseous I put them on and my symptoms really die down or just go away.
Nausea bands!!!! OMG you are totally brilliant. I didn’t even think about them!
You are my favorite follow! The first stories and posts I view when I’m on Instagram, you feel like a friend I’m happy to see. You’re funny, smart, interesting, and beautiful! Lol I’m sounding like a creep but I think it’s good feedback for someone who shares to the masses that you are doing a great job!
Thank you for sharing on this topic. I agree that you don’t have to but I appreciate that you’ve provided a safe space for others by doing so. I have been on ozempic for a month and haven’t told a soul. I’m not sure if I ever will tell anyone or not yet, I’m fairly private and it’s simply not their business. You have definitely given me some reminders that I needed to hear and the shame of society is leaving my worldview bit by bit. I just can’t be bothered anymore, especially when the shame and judgement is usually coming from the most ignorant of folks. Anyway, congratulations on all the amazing new memories you’ve made and will make with your family, I am so happy for you.
PS. I like the perspective from your doctor about the longer the struggle the longer on the medication, makes sense. Knowing the medicine is safe for lifetime use is comforting also, takes the pressure off.
Thank you for sharing- I’ve always appreciated your honesty when it came to your body shape and confidence – I was a competitive swimmer for many years in extremely great shape with large muscles and 💪🏼 – I stopped swimming and my body changed- lost over 60 lbs from training etc and at 5’10” was “thin” yet still felt large and bulky 40 years later I continue to feel different about my body…. Strange how this has lingered with my mind ❤️🩹
This was helpful thank you!
Thank you for sharing this! I can totally relate to what you are describing in so many ways. I’ve been on ozempic for about 6 months. I just upped my dose to 1mg. Being able to eat normal things and not to excess has been amazing. I’ve also lost my need for coffee every morning. That has probably been the most unexpected thing to this journey for me.
I view these medications like managing any other long term health condition and it is so sad that some make us feel shamed for taking them. However we must just do what is right for us individually and know we are making the right choice for ourselves. Thanks for your honesty and openness here.
Maddy, thank you again for sharing all of this info. It’s so helpful to hear real information from a real person, instead of the media fear mongering that’s been ongoing. And it makes me sad that anyone has shamed you for making such a personal choice. I think it’s inspiring that you’ve opened up about your journey and thought process.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I have been thinking about starting Ozempic. I am pre diabetic, so my doctor told me if I started a weight loss program and showed progress, my insurance would cover me. Will likely reach out to her soon to try and get the ball rolling. Thank you so much again for sharing!
I enjoy following you whether you are 364 lbs or 174 lbs. you are a beautiful soul. I can relate . I have struggled with my weight. I did have bariatric surgery 9 years ago & was successful only to over the years get back into my old eating habits of binging & regain about 80 % of what I had lost . I don’t regret the surgery for a second. If I didn’t do it I know the numbers on the scale would be much higher. I recently started on a GLP1. It is baffling how the “good noise “ disappears. I always have been a confident, self loving woman & that’s why I love your page because you are too! Thanks for sharing & keep being you, Maddy 🤍
I just has my 3rd dosage at .25. not seeing a lot of weight loss, but drinking a lot less soda. This blog was very helpful. I’m nervous about the jump to .50, but nausea bands are a great idea!
best of all…in 2.5 weeks I’ve gone from 100 units of Lantus per night to 40, and dropping more as I keep am bs count under 140.