I don’t think they need to continue to do that. The people we know in real life who are on it are in-person advertisements. They don’t have to say anything.
One doctor we know who is almost 50 lost 40 lbs in four months. No more C-Pap machine, no more aching knees, and no longer pre diabetic.
Do you mean stuff like this?
I have several friends that are on Dr. prescribed semi-glutides… various manufacturers. One friend pays out-of-pocket $1200 a month. It is very expensive however the health benefits for her and my other friends outweigh the price. All of my friends currently on it have lost at least 25# within the first three months, are no longer on cholesterol medicine, and a couple have had to discontinue high blood pressure meds. There are side effects but all seem to feel those are minor compared to being overweight and unhealthy. One friend’s insurance initially covered the meds because she had a BMI of over 30 and was pre-diabetic. However, her latest test results show everything normal so now insurance is balking at coverage… seems really short-sighted. I too have heard of “internet” clinics offering compounded versions of said medication. One friend went that route because insurance would not cover. The pharmacy that compounded was legit so she did not have any safety concerns. Lastly, we have several friends who are Drs. Specifically, one Ear, Nose, and Throat said his clients that are losing weight are seeing great improvement in sleep and quality of life. He thinks the new meds are life-changing.
This was in today’s news: food companies to sell smaller portion sized meals in response to impact of Semaglutide: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/investing/ozempic-food-companies
“…. The increasingly popular drugs generally work by reducing patients’ appetites. With 1.7% of America’s population prescribed a semaglutide drug in 2023 — up 40-fold in the past five years — that could spell serious trouble for the food industry.”
As an aside, if people curb their appetite with the meds, hopefully they could try to maintain that after the d/c the med.
I for one would be thrilled to purchase smaller portions. Not because of taking any medication but because American food portions are ridiculously large.
I feel a bit odd splitting an entree but I think I need to get over it.
I’d be fine with it if they reduce prices along with it but somehow I doubt that will happen. My D loves being able to bring home left overs to have the next day.
My dad has gastric bypass surgery but sadly still needs a Cpap
The US is only one of two countries that allows direct to consumer ads, which Is probably its own discussion.
@jym, sadly many studies over the years have shown that for the vast majority of people, appetite and cravings come back when drugs are discontinued. This is why, even though they are motivated and trying to follow all of the things they learned from behavioral treatment, regain off the drug is the rule rather than the exception. “Jumpstarting” weight loss with short-term use of drugs generally doesn’t work. This is why all new anti-obesity. drugs are approved for long-term use.
That’s a bummer. Would hope that the person’s appetite shrinking might remain as they have been eating less, and maybe some where actually modifying their diets while on the diet (that’s a hope, but sadly not an expectation). Would hope if a person was wanting to lose weight, some at least would try to modify their eating habits, not just eat less of the same stuff. If not, regaining weight isn’t surprising if the meds are d/c’d.
It works to bring home leftovers if you have the self discipline to quit eating when full. Not everyone has that ability.
I’d rather be served less than try to remember when to quit.
We go to lunch with another couple. She always only eats half of her meal and brings half home. I continue to pick away at my meal until it’s gone.
Dinner portions on the other hand are out of control.
It would be nice if restaurants gave us a choice. With corresponding prices.
I hate to add this part, but the people I know who are discussing these drugs are not obese. They are people who want to lose 10-15 pounds. Most don’t have prediabetes or any other health concern.
I’m not saying that wanting to lose weight is a bad thing. But I think there is a big difference between using these drugs when obese, or close to it, and just wanting to drop that last ten pounds.
I am not passing judgment on my friend or anyone doing this. I am intrigued. She had some thyroid issues and says she just can’t seem to lose the weight she needs to, so she said it’s been a great kickstart and motivator and positive experience (so far) for her. There is something to be said for the psychological benefits of weight loss, no matter what the impetus. She is currently hosting her H’s family for a big family reunion. I will check in with her after they all leave next week and see how she fared throughout this week.
I want to be clear. I am not talking about anyone referenced on this thread by any poster. I am talking about people I know IRL who are hoping to get these drugs…who are not obese and do not have any other health concerns…but just want to drop some weight.
Not talking about anyone here, but I do think people pass judgment on people who want to lose weight, whatever their reason is for wanting to lose weight. I started this thread b/c my friend is trying this compounded med to get off weight she has been unable to. I was, and am, curious to hear from other people who have also tried this firsthand.
But this presupposes they have bad habits. Lots of fat people are eating and exercising normally, and so they don’t gain and they don’t lose. But the weight stays. For me, a restart would mean getting down to a more comfortable weight, and sticking with my already healthy habits to maintain it. And I’m not a unicorn. “Typical” healthy eating does not make one lose weight, or gain it. You need to eat at a level much lower than typical healthy to lose. Going back to that means maintaining.
So your comment is fine for those who are eating unhealthily and gaining, but there’s millions of us fat folk eating “normally” and not gaining or losing, but need help with staying with extreme calorie restriction long enough to lose weight.
Not sure I said that clearly. And maybe besides the point since my insurance is dragging its feet even though I fall under their very constricted parameters.
What do people think about this??? Weight loss may mean a risk of death for older adults, study shows | CNN
Kinda seems like you can’t win for losing (on intended)
Hasn’t it long been the case that unexplained weight loss or gain is something to be investigated from a health standpoint?
Did you read the article? Hard to tell if they are talking about purposeful or unexplained weight loss.
Yes, and it is not surprising, since many health problems that may be otherwise unnoticed in older people cause weight loss.