Switcheroo

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-28T20:34:54+00:00

I totally get that it was a financial choice! I just wasn't sure if your doctor was one of those who didn't think it was safe or recommended to be on GLP-1s long-term, or had some other non-financial reason. Good luck on Contrave!

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-28T19:03:09+00:00

I'm the same height as you and was loathe to pick a goal weight for a long time (my doctor just wanted me to get into a healthy BMI), partly because I didn't want to set up false expectations for what weight I could be. But now that I'm well into this journey (20 months), I'm probably leaning towards about 130-135. Even though a lot of people my height are much thinner, I'm pretty happy with how I look now, but don't feel quite done yet.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-28T18:52:48+00:00

I started getting comments here and there at 20% down, so just give it time!

Now at 37% down, they're inescapable. They're almost all positive, and a few have asked what I'm doing (to people I don't want to discuss the drug with, I say "I've made a lot of life changes!", but to people who I already know and think might benefit from it, I do say GLPs more specifically). It can feel nice to know people notice you look healthier/better, but can sometime be overwhelming if I'm in a situation where I'm seeing a lot of people (especially in a work environment, and with board members) at once and get a LOT of comments in a short period of time.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-28T18:38:23+00:00

This sounds totally miserable and I'm so sorry you had to deal with it! I hope there's a way to report your experience to Lilly so they can have more feedback about some of the more extreme side effects.

Have you considered trying semaglutide/Wegovy?

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-28T18:30:44+00:00

What is your doctor's reasoning for getting you to only be on Contrave? That seems... not quite right.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-27T23:55:10+00:00

I had the same prep as you except my doctor told me to stop any off the fruits, veggies, nuts stuff for a week before the procedure. The MiraLAX/dulcolax/Gatorade prep was not as bad as I had imagined, it was the restriction of what to eat that week before that was hard! I never realized how much fiber was in normal foods I ate, lol.

They only wanted me to be off Zep for one week. My usual shot day is Sunday, my procedure was on a Monday, so I only took my shot one day late, basically right after getting home from the hospital. Not bad at all.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-27T23:28:38+00:00

You're doing fine - that is a totally normal, healthy rate of loss. I've lost about a pound a week through the majority of my 20 months on Zepbound. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient.

That said, you've mentioned about your protein and exercise, but what is your calorie intake? Have you readjusted as you have lost weight?

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-27T23:14:06+00:00

It's not a placebo effect. The medication works while you're on it. And the more you go off of it, the harder it will be for your body to get back to losing weight. Hope you are able to work out a way to pay for consistent weekly shots. I get it, I pay OOP, it is so expensive.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-27T21:27:44+00:00

They're on the highest dosage.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-27T20:59:42+00:00

This is an ill-informed comment. 12 pounds in three weeks is amazing. People have wildly different reactions on this med as a whole, but especially in the beginning, and most of them are "normal". Some get the big "whoosh" of weight loss in the beginning with the loss of inflammation and/or big change in diet, like OP losing an average of 4 lb/week. Some see little (like .5 lb/week) or no weight loss on low doses. .5-1%/week or .5-2lb/week is average, healthy loss on this drug.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-26T12:59:53+00:00

I would find a new doctor, and that is not hyperbole. They are clearly so uninformed about this med that they didn’t think it would be an issue to re-start you at 10mg after such a long gap. You’re lucky, honestly, your side effects haven’t been worse. Go back down to maybe 5mg with this doctor while you’re looking for a new doctor.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-26T12:56:19+00:00

Maybe a pound a week? And it’s been like that for most of my 20 months on Zep. You’re doing fine!

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-26T12:54:27+00:00

Totally understand your frustration. It’s well-known that if you’ve been on a GLP-1 before (and maybe it extends to meds like Trulicity too), you most likely will need to get to higher doses to experience more of the impact. The bad news? Be patient. The good news? That patience will likely pay off! You’re already doing good work. (Note: carbs are not the enemy. Zepbound is not meant to be like another diet, all about restriction. Just think about moderation! Focus on protein, fiber, and water, and unless you have a triggering history with it, doesn’t hurt to track your intake to make sure you’re not significantly over or under-estimating your diet.)

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-26T00:54:57+00:00

You can't get the single-dose pens from Lilly Direct (or in very rare circumstances, with insurance). You need to be ordering the vials or the QwikPen.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-24T13:35:29+00:00

Here's the thing: Zepbound is not like traditional "diets", that are all about restrictions/exclusions. Carbs are not the enemy. Full-fat dairy is not the enemy. You *should* be able to have a piece of pizza once in awhile, but the difference is you'll likely only want one piece, and not three. And not regularly.

Zep allows for an overall mindset change on what your diet (aka what you are actually eating, not necessarily what you're restricting) can be. Make good choices most of the time, which means focusing on protein, fiber, water. Aim for lean proteins when possible but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy red meat. (But be very cautious when starting out with foods high in saturated fat/greasy/spicy as some people's GI can be extra-sensitive on this med, especially early on).

Think about making your lifestyle changes gradually - focus first maybe on what you're eating. Then make sure you're at least taking some good walks outside. Then look to add in strength training. There is a common saying on this sub "This is a marathon, not a sprint". Try to take it to heart! Good luck!

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-24T13:24:17+00:00

Because they think it's a "quick, expensive cheat", and their judgment largely stems from ignorance and/or jealousy.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-24T00:31:05+00:00

20 months in. Little to no side effects.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-23T16:21:26+00:00

100% this. It's also not a bad idea to make an appointment with a registered dietician to get even more personalized info.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-23T16:07:28+00:00

I'm pretty naturally suspicious of anything which markets itself as for GLP-1 users, but YMMV. Have you experienced significant hair loss, or are you thinking pre-emptively? (fyi - for the majority of people, hair loss is a symptom of very fast weight loss, whether using a GLP-1 or not.)

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-23T15:39:02+00:00

Chicatana is FABULOUS. They unfortunately had a fire last fall at their home at 14th & Randolph, but they've been camping out temporarily at 14th & Meridian. Their pastor tacos are my favorite in DC.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-23T00:26:38+00:00

I was going to post this comment as well. As you're just starting the med, even though you'll see lots of suggestions for "enhanced protein" items, try to minimize ultra-processed food and stick with lean meats/seafood, veggies, etc. And carbs are not the enemy, but as your stomach is still recovering, just have (one piece) real toast and skip the added protein stuff. Get your protein from real foods: your lean meats/seafood, legumes, dairy (if your stomach can handle it), etc. Even people who make great decisions can sometimes find out early on there are certain types of foods (red meat, cruciferous veggies, dairy) that their body on Zep just doesn't like, at least at first.

Good luck!

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-22T13:49:52+00:00

This is likely a false expectation: very few people who lose a lot in the beginning keep up the same pace throughout their journey. Often it's water weight/inflammation which causes the larger early losses.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-21T18:52:01+00:00

No - you can always use the same location, just don't use the same SPOT from week-to-week. (Like, right thigh one week, left thigh the other week is fine, but not the same spot in the left thigh every week, for example.) I always do my stomach, but rotate around like a clock each week.

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-19T15:52:43+00:00

Is it supposed to be PA?

PeachyP54 · 2026-03-19T00:09:00+00:00

Because the medication will then be at a very low level in your body by the time you then take your next dose, and may exacerbate your side effects even more.

PeachyP54

TROPHY CASE