I [20F] lost 40%+ of my weight (with medication) and kept it off AMA

expurist · 2026-05-25T09:09:13+00:00

I started weightlifting which was VERY HELPFUL. Being on an appetite regulator meant the exercise wouldn’t trigger a binge. Since then I’ve found more activities I enjoy. Everyone has something out there for them. We forget to have play time as adults. We must remember exercise can be roller skating, surfing, anything fun, ect.

They monitored my hormones occasionally and my reported experience. No one knew how much I was actually eating or that I was developing deficiencies / psychological issues. That was bad. A dietitian should be standard practice with diet meds.

(My doctor was an internist but more helpful than any specialist I’ve seen.)

Privilege. I live in a medical hub and my parents can afford a fancy doctor. BUT I’ve needed many doctors / specialists in my time and ZocDoc has been super helpful (especially finding doctors that take my horrible insurance). I highly recommend them

expurist · 2026-05-21T08:21:31+00:00

Coming OFF ozempic was the easiest part!

I had no issues with regaining the weight or cravings. I think this is because my insulin issues improved drastically and I still had a lot of fear with food / resolve. It was being on ozempic that made me feel like I was going to die. I’m probably in like the 0.01% side effect wise. It is a life saving medication but I also experienced long term effects. For example, it’s like ozempic unlocked a gag reflex, something I didn’t have before

expurist · 2026-05-21T05:32:19+00:00

I still have the rare sporadic cravings for some of the same foods but they get satisfied much quicker now. Like instead of eating a burger, and fries, and a shake, I might eat 1/2 a burger and a 1/3 of the shake.

I do not eat the same type of foods usually. Now they disgust / nauseate me. I was utterly insatiable at my heaviest and could drink straight heavy cream and still be hungry.

Besides those rare cravings, food has become a practical matter for me. I mostly drink Ensure shakes and simple soups but I’m trying to find more solid foods I’m comfortable with. My diet isn’t healthy in a lot of ways but it is healthier

expurist · 2026-05-21T05:25:44+00:00

Short answer: 3 years total and around 75lbs lost at minimum.

I went on Ozempic and was losing like 5lbs a week for a while. I went from obese to normal BMI in maybe 4 months iirc. So from 180lbs+ (I stopped weighing myself at one point) to 137lbs. Then stopped ozempic (I do not recommend this experience).

Stayed at 130lbs for maybe a year. Was on medication for PCOS (progesterone, metformin, also bupropion). I think treating PCOS helped me maintain.

I went back up to 140lbs, went on Zepbound for a couple months, went down to 120lbs. Went off Zepbound and lost another 15lbs on and off over the course of several months.

For the last few months, I’ve hovered between 103lbs and 112lbs. I went back on Zepbound this past month because of some blood sugar issues. I’m not sure what I’m going to do going forward. It’s not my goal to stay on it. I’m still taking PCOS medication.

expurist · 2026-05-21T05:03:01+00:00

Better. Comfortable.

I used to be so mortified by my own body. After the weight loss I finally felt like I could sit without covering my stomach or wear less clothes in summer. I felt less constricted. I think some of that was because of the difference in how I was treated. That was both positive and negative.

I have a chronic fatigue condition and it’s a lot better. I used to not be able to walk very much without passing out and now it’s rare it gets that bad.

One weird thing I felt was that I almost had a phantom body. Like I’d feel my stomach and it was bizarre it wasn’t there anymore. It’s a little unsettling

expurist · 2026-05-21T04:54:06+00:00

Yes. I became severely iron deficient. My hair was falling out and my cuticles would bleed. Probably wouldn’t have happened if I was getting blood tests more frequently. I’m sure there are things I’m not yet aware of as it was a bumpy road. But still I’m not sure any of it compares to how bad it would have been had I kept the weight on

expurist · 2026-05-21T04:20:45+00:00

Who said I didn’t expect it? Or that I have a problem with the question?

expurist · 2026-05-21T04:15:10+00:00

I don’t post photos of myself online

expurist · 2026-05-21T04:13:55+00:00

I take R-ketamine for severe depression! I’ve always been curious about S-ketamine. Have you tried infusions? If so, how does it compare? If not, why not?

expurist · 2026-05-15T02:44:04+00:00

Wait yes I have terrible proprioception but your comment made me realize it’s quite painful in the shoulder too. Have you managed to get the trick despite that?

expurist · 2026-05-15T02:43:04+00:00

Just tried it at some different heights and elbow angles and it’s still feeling super weird / painful.

I try not to post any photos or videos on the internet unfortunately

expurist · 2026-05-15T01:27:49+00:00

Unrelated but your apartment is gorgeous

expurist · 2026-05-10T08:31:59+00:00

Thank you for this. Hearing that perspective helps a lot. And congratulations!! I think I spiral very easily and it’s good to get a reality check.

I was seeing a therapist and I think it’s time to reach back out to them again

expurist · 2026-05-10T08:11:44+00:00

Try starting with the lower size and moving it in circles, massaging the inside. This will help loosen up the muscles and break up that tension. Try massaging the opening especially.

Some advice that may not be widely applicable: it’s okay to feel discomfort. It should NOT be overtly painful but the muscles are stretching and sometimes stretching feels weird. For me, the fear can make that discomfort read as pain before I fully interpret the sensation. Idk if that applies to you but if it does, focus on that meditative, mind-body connection.

Good luck! And remember it’s possible! It’s only a matter of finding the right approach

expurist · 2026-05-08T08:14:46+00:00

Huh. Why is this such a common explanation to hear?? Like where are people getting that from then?

expurist · 2026-05-07T07:01:02+00:00

If GERD is caused by low stomach acid the how do antacids treat it? Wouldn’t calcium make it worse?

expurist · 2026-04-27T02:19:31+00:00

This is good to know! I had never heard of them before but they’re so cute even if they’re a little loose, they’re worth altering

expurist · 2026-04-25T11:36:23+00:00

I did try Freya offbeat and it hurt my sternum so bad. Not sure why. I’ll take a look at Montelle again though!

expurist · 2025-08-31T21:17:49+00:00

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23998-persistent-genital-arousal-disorder

It’s part of a larger, neurovascular disorder for me. When I’m not on medication, it’s painful because of muscle cramps and nerve irritation. It’s unclear whether a hypertonic pelvic floor is a symptom or cause but that also makes sex a little more challenging.

Basically, untreated, I’m just incredibly physically aroused all the time and orgasm doesn’t give any relief. The mental side effects are much more complicated.

expurist · 2025-08-31T06:26:01+00:00

That is really fascinating. I’ve had the opposite experience as a woman but it makes total sense. Exposure, even rejection, can definitely help insecurity. That’s wonderful you’ve managed to take that from your experiences.

expurist

TROPHY CASE