Now, I Begin...

Wegovy.

For those unaware, Wegovy is also known as Ozempic. It's a diabetes medication that has been found in studies to reduce future heart events by 20% and acts as an appetite suppressant. Insurance companies in the US have begun covering Wegovy for use as a weight loss drug. My insurance company announced they would start covering it for those with both heart disease and obesity, and I started looking into it.

Wegovy acts on areas of the brain which are involved in regulating your appetite. It increases feelings of fullness, reduces feelings of hunger and reduces the preference for high-fat foods. It also reduces blood sugar by promoting the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.

I'll be honest with you all, I have struggled with this decision. It's not been an easy one. I have a complicated history with diet culture wrapped up in complex feelings about my mother. One of my biggest joys in life is baking, and then eating what I've baked. But I also know that the trajectory I'm currently on is not helping my overall well-being.

My back has put a huge damper on the amount of exercise I can do; which led to weight gain; which puts more pressure on my already weakened heart, back, foot, and knees. I had a heart attack less than four years ago, but my back has me in such a sedentary lifestyle that I fear the ramifications of my inability to exercise as well as the weight gain will be that I lose all ability to walk.

After a long discussion with my doctor, she strongly recommended that I start taking it. And, I agreed.

Then, there was having to find it. Wegovy is super popular currently because it IS so effective as an appetite suppressant. Pharmacies are sold out all over. But, this morning, I found a pharmacy that had some, and they filled my prescription.

I'm nervous but I'm also excited.

This post will go live tomorrow morning 4/9/2024. By the time anyone reads it, I will have already taken my first shot. (It's a once-a-week injectable)

It is my intent to keep you all updated on how things are proceeding on Tuesdays. Shot day.

You should know: 

I do not own a scale, nor will I be buying one. 

I do not have a weight loss "goal" other than becoming more active with less pain. 

I have to see my doctor once a month while I take this, she will be weighing me at those visits. I will keep you updated regarding weight loss numbers on those days.

I currently take two medications for blood pressure, and it is my hope to get off both.

I currently take one medication for cholesterol, and I hope to get off that one as well. 

With my insurance, a one-month supply was $11.20.

This is a medicine they titrate up, so I'm starting on the lowest dose of 0.25 mg. That dose will rise after two months to 0.5mg. I've been told the "real" weight loss begins once you're on a maintenance dose of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg depending on tolerance to the medication.

They have to do this to slowly get your stomach used to the changes it's going to experience. I don't want to be bogged down with stomach issues, ya know? 

It's in

It didn't hurt

Wish me luck!