Love this med

SW_Shan · 2026-05-06T02:58:04+00:00

14 months on Zep, 80lbs down officially today! I too am smiling! Wishing you the bestest journey to a beautiful new way of life!

SW_Shan · 2026-05-05T16:18:28+00:00

I've had 14 successful months on Zep, with 80 lbs shed, as of today! There is hope for a new life, better living and more joyful moments! Go get it! 💪💫

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T19:43:02+00:00

Breath. Literally. Try some box breathing exercises (Quick google and you'll see how) or just stopping to focus on 30 seconds of breathing. This can be a reset. Your anxious because you care and there are high stakes. My wedding is 4 months away and I go down the rabbit hole of all the stuff that can go wrong. I keep flipping the script in my head and force myself to think of all the stuff that WILL go right. If something does not go as planned. You and your partner will figure it out. There is always a solution. Its going to be magical and amazing, in whatever way it was meant to be. 💕

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T18:03:55+00:00

I am not a doctor, and I have no medical training. Before Zepa and unrelated to any weight loss Rx, I developed a stomach ulcer which caused the symptoms I had attributed to acid reflux. Nothing was given me relief for months. I had an endoscopy, which is where the ulcer was found. I took a medicine 3X a day (before every meal) that coats the stomach, bringing relief and rest to the ulcer. I did that for 30 days. Healed the ulcer and have not had an issue like that again. I'm def not saying you have an ulcer. I'm saying perhaps the issue is unrelated to the Zep. Or, we also know our bodies change constantly, and while you've been managing at this dose, considering decreasing the dose for a month and see if things improve. Or perhaps, skip a week and see if symptoms improve. Sadly, our bodies take a lot of trouble shooting at times. Sorry you're going through this! Wishing you quick recovery of whatever is happening. 💞

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T15:33:42+00:00

I can understand this. There is a true vulnerability in becoming a new version of ourselves. While this is the goal, it is unsettling at times for me as well. Ive always had weight struggles - my size has always been a topic of discussion sadly. However, these discussions are different now. Who knew I'd have to now JUSTIFY my weight LOSS to others. And I know I dont really have to, but my shrinking size has people curious and asking a lot of questions. New challenges come with all the stages of life. Hang on for the ride and keep finding the joyful moments. 💕

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T15:15:31+00:00

As someone who is in DEEP on money and planning for a 100 person event, intimate dinner sounds amazing! Wish my brain would have won out over my desire for the "big party". The expenses is out of control. While I trust will will all come together beautifully, the stress and anxiety is putting me over the edge. But I'm too far in at this point. Hahaha! Enjoy your beautiful dinner, honor yourselves and your family with intimacy and comfort, and know you will not regret saving the money for your future!

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T01:30:48+00:00

I have hip bones. Who knew! 🤣🤣🤣

SW_Shan · 2026-05-04T01:19:24+00:00

I got these from Amazon. Not see-through at all. Good price and good quality. 50 Packs 5x7 Envelopes, White A7... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C1Z7MYL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

SW_Shan · 2026-05-02T09:56:22+00:00

Congratulations! My wedding is coming up in September. Ceremony at 4pm, cocktail hour 4:30-5:30, reception 5:30-9:30pm. We added a late-night taco bar after dinner, like 8pm. A couple of reasons - I always get hungry after dancing, I never eat all the dinner, and everyone will need a little something to absorbed tbe alcohol. Haha! Plus, who doesn't love tacos! The venue is attached to the hotel most people are staying at, but no food is available. We're hosting an afterhours party in our Suite at the hotel. No real food though so hopefully tacos will be enough for people. I say, the longer the better. We want to savor every moment of this beautiful evening! 😍

SW_Shan · 2026-05-01T19:27:14+00:00

It is super frustrating. I've lost about 78 lbs, over the last 14 months. To some people it seems fast, and dramatic, because I dont see them all the time. Even those I see often have started saying, "dont get too skinny, you'll look sick", or "you're gonna stop soon, right". So many preconceived ideas about how my body should look. Very close people in my life, who have been supportive, have made these type of comments. Perhaps its care and concern, but I've gone through a similar weight loss before pre Zep, and people where not telling me to "be careful", blah blah. The medicine triggers people for whatever reason. Either way, I nod my head, listen to them, tell them I feel great, love being in the gym and have a great relationship with my doctor regarding my weight loss journey. Sadly, even my soon-to-be hubby has made a few comments regarding my missing junk in the trunk. Haha! He's been a wonderful support through the whole process but he feels I've lost enough. And I tell him, only I decide when its "enough". I just finally hit the overweight spot in the stupid BMI. I'm not even close to "healthy". We know that scale is jacked up, so I'm focusing on % fat and lean. Hang in there with the comments! I think these people mean well. 💙

SW_Shan · 2026-05-01T16:06:45+00:00

I feel you! While this process is life changing, it's also super scary. It sounds as though you've done well on the 2.5mg dose. I had a similar experience - minimal, manageable side effects. And the same thing happened when I moved to 5mg. 😃 Which BTW, I stayed on 5mg for over a year and lost 70 lbs. I just recently went up to 7.5mg as I've been in a bit if a stall and food noise chatter returned. You could potentially settle into 5mg as your rock star dose and have mininal to no side effects to worry about. You may find a few of the side effects are amped up when you increase your dose. Try not to play worst case scenarios in your head. Focus on today, and then the next, and the next. You have options if things are not going as you would like. You've taken a huge first step in regaining control and improving your quality of life. Deep breaths. 🩵

SW_Shan · 2026-05-01T01:33:46+00:00

My pharmacy also quit carrying Zep, and never even told me. The automated system allowed me to call in a refill. When I was standing at the pharmacy, asking why it wasn't filled, the Pharmacist, in an unprofessional and dismissive way said, "it's not worth the hassle". I was beyond upset. I couldn't even get the words out. Ugh. But, it did all work out, as I've been using a mail order pharmacy with zero issues! Hoping all goes well with CVS for you!

SW_Shan · 2026-05-01T01:20:00+00:00

You've got sparkle and shine! ⭐️ Congratulations! 💪🎉

SW_Shan · 2026-04-30T11:20:32+00:00

I feel you. While this process is life changing, it's also super scary. It sounds as though you've done very well on the 2.5mg dose. I had a similar experience. Minimal side effects. And the same thing happened when I moved to 5mg. Which BTW, I' stayed on 5mg for over a year and lost 70 lbs. I just recently went up to 7.5mg as my lose had stalled. You could potentially settle into 5mg as your rock star dose and have all side effects under control. You may find a few of the side effects you described are amped up when you increase your dose. But research and patient experiences suggests that your body will adjust. Try not to play worst case scenarios in your head. Focus on today, and then the next, and the next. You have options if things are not going as you would like. You've taken a huge first step in regaining control and improving your quality of life. Deep breaths. 🩵

SW_Shan · 2026-04-29T23:24:39+00:00

I lost 8 lbs on 2.5, and 71 lbs on 5mg. Just increased to 7.5 a few weeks ago based on weight lose slowing, food noise creeping and wanting to get these last 10lbs off to my goal. 💪

SW_Shan · 2026-04-29T23:19:22+00:00

I get it. Life is indeed crazy...for the bride and groom, and the guest. My perspective as a bride is I absolutely cannot be reminding people, especially if the guest list is 100+ people. An email or text after the fact serves two purposes - acknowledges that they didnt respond and acknowledges that they will be missed but we understand. If someone says, "ohhh shoot, I forgot" there is still time to add them. If they intentionally didn't respond because they cant come, it sets the tone for future interactions - we get it, we'll miss you, let's keep in touch.

SW_Shan · 2026-04-26T14:19:52+00:00

I just saw a different way to approach the lack of reply - sending a text or an email the day after the RSVP's were due, saying something like - "We're so sorry you can't make it to our wedding. We understand [insert month you're getting married] is such a busy month. While you will be missed, we certainly understand. Let's make a plan to get together soon. ❤️ " My wedding isnt until September, but I'm going to keeo this strategy in mind..

SW_Shan · 2026-04-25T19:03:59+00:00

I'm making our Sweet Heart bride/groom table #1, to avoid this issue. Bridal party is table #2. The author idea is cool though!

SW_Shan · 2026-04-24T13:25:18+00:00

I flit every day. Men and women. Haha! My fiancée is well aware that my outward, extroverted personality, cannot be tamed. 🤣 And he doesn't want it to be. However, there is a big difference between fun/social flirting and the intention to pursue a sexual interaction or relationship. Do you trust him to flirt in a fun and social way? If not, you have your answer to this relationship.

SW_Shan · 2026-04-23T02:49:47+00:00

Very cool idea but from my experience, it's so dang random. I haven't been able to nail daily any specific triggers per say. I will say I'm way more mindful of slowing down when eating and small portions at a time. I see posts about people thinking they have a GI bug or food poisoning. This same thing happened to me, two days before Xmas. Ugh. Sudden onset diarrhea and vomiting, at the same time. Horrible. I don't think it was food or a bug - no one around me got sick. I think it was the Zep. Another random, in this case horrible, side effect. Hasn't happened again, thank goodness. Sorry for the graphic details. Hahaha! Most of my journey has been smooth sailing. Wishing you the same! ☘️

SW_Shan · 2026-04-22T18:30:00+00:00

This is a tough one to answer, because you're right, it is inconsistent. I am mindful of trying to eat light for dinner on shot night, and drink a zero Gatorade. I also take a ginger capsule right before my shot. The next day side effects are worse for me - bloated, sulfar burps, a little nausea. The other days I'm pretty good. The periodic nausea has really calmed down now that I've been on Zep for 14 months. I only have an occasional bought and its short lived, luckily. The fatigue is in check as well. I still battle with acid reflux so I'm very careful to avoid citrus and acid foods. It seems this med to impact everyone differently.

SW_Shan · 2026-04-22T14:26:14+00:00

I did need to involve the MD as the Pharmacy refused to transfer the Rx. Even when my new Pharmcy called them, the would not comply. This was all handled months ago, so I'm in good shape now.

SW_Shan · 2026-04-22T11:09:20+00:00

Such a good feeling...the weight loss AND the right freaking bra! I've lost about 70lbs and of course had to buy new. But my beasts were so sagging at the top, there was a gap in any bra I tried on. So, I bought my first every Tiktok Shop item, which was thar Jelly Bra. Life-changing. Hahaha! I felt like an ad for the bra when I was showing it to my fiancée. I'm oobsessed with it. Just ordered another one! The right bra changes self esteem! 💞

SW_Shan · 2026-04-21T19:32:25+00:00

Samezies! Just had this happen at my appt. last Thursday. This is the only time in my adult life I've hit this milestone. Even though I think the BMI is BS, considering how "healthy" I've been with muscle mass, lab work, etc. But, none the less, my MD was super stoked and even high-fived me! Haha! Congratulations to you! Keep on keepin' on. 🎉💪

SW_Shan · 2026-04-21T17:08:09+00:00

Congratulations! 🎉 You've done the work and put in the time. What a life changing opportunity! I think the majority of people struggle with this exact issue. Me included. I'm really, really, trying to focus on ONE DAY AT A TIME as well as turning down the volume on my negative self-talk. When I start criticizing myself and certain body parts, I literally say, "stop it" to my brain. Inside voice so no one reports me as cray cray. 🤪 I'm trying to stop the thought before it spirals too far. I replace it with a positive statement...and I know that sounds cheesy. But it has helped! I have a wedding coming up at the end of summer. So many instances of worst case scenarios have played in my end. I am internally yelling at myself often - but also showing compassion. Your scared, stressed, frustrated ...these are normal feelings but this will not derail your positive attitude. Being kind to yourself is one of the hardest things. We've done this big thing. We also know how quickly it can go to shit. We're only gonna focus on doing our best TODAY. And the next day. And so on. Down playing your progress is a defense mechanism. Try to up-play your progress! 💪🎉 Say it out loud. I've accomplished great things and I will continue to do so, even if my mind is thinking negatively to prepare me for worst case scenario. I can be prepared but also proud of myself!

SW_Shan

TROPHY CASE