Reposting because this wasn’t supposed to be a reply to one person:
Update on teeth accident–feeling pretty good all things considered. Looking forward to check up with oral surgeon on Monday to see how it’s progressing. Still drinking all liquid.
I will also have a previously scheduled check up on Monday with my PCP to check on Zepbound progress. Weirdly, the two have sort of informed each other, as the foods and knowledge I have been using as part of my weightloss approach are now helping me make food I can drink, and stay healthy.
I’m becoming a smoothie expert, and right now I’m simmering what will become cheesy cream of cauliflower soup for my dinner tonight.
(Meanwhile, my H is mostly subsisting on Trader Joe’s pizzas for dinner, lol).
I love smoothies. My favorite is strawberry/mango and pineapple, and just for a quick refreshing drink I like frozen strawberries blended with crystal light lemonade.
I have been on Zepbound now for 8 months. I have lost 60lbs. The doctor I was seeing had me increase it every month until the shortage happened. At that time I was supposed to increase it to 7.5mg. I went back to the starter dose for a month so I could keep it in my system. Then the 5mg became available and I took that dosage for 2 months. The last 3 months I have increased it and am now on the 12.5mg dose. I have noticed that the last 3 months I have been losing more hair than usual. I especially have noticed a huge increase in hair loss the last month. I once had very thick loose curls hair. The length of my hair is half way down my shoulders in the back. At this length I usually have a huge bun. It has shrunk to half that size. It is very upsetting for me. I did have hair thinning in my crown in my late 30s, but that was due to hereditary & other medications I was taking. I stopped taking one of the medications that was causing the hair loss at the end of August, hoping that would help. I have not noticed a difference. I did, however, start taking a daily multivitamin to bridge the gaps in my nutrition. I also purchased a water additive that has Biotin and Collagen in it. I am hoping this will help. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love that I have lost weight, but I don’t love the hair loss. Thanks!
I talked to my dermatologist about my Zepbound related hair loss. He said he was hearing about it from many people who have lost a significant amount of weight from Zepbound/other semaglutides. He said that once the weight loss slowed, the hair loss would, too. He also recommended topical minoxidil (like Nutrafol) to see if that would help.
I’ve noticed larger hair balls in the shower, but haven’t figured out why. I have a lot of curly hair and I’ve always shed a lot when washing my hair, but it seems like more now. So I thought maybe the meds, but also I’m 49, so maybe perimenopause? Who knows.
Make sure that you’re getting enough protein. I find my appetite is pretty low and I have to consciously track and confirm I get sufficient protein, often using a protein powder or collagen to supplement.
Agree. For my weight I’m supposed to get 100 mg protein per day. I was shocked how little my normal diet had so now I have a protein shake and fruit for my afternoon snack. Meals are protein focused with fruit and veggies.
Just coming back to report thst the amount of hair I’m losing now is kind of alarming. I’ve always had a lot of very thick hair and it’s very noticeable how much thinner it is. I don’t have a doctors appointment set up for a while since things have otherwise been going smoothly, so I’m going to focus on upping my protein and babying my hair as much as I can.
My hair has really thinned out now. Will probably have to give up the bob style I spent a year growing out. Am really unhappy about it, but my health has to be the priority. Am too medically compromised not to deal with the weight. Am now down 37. Still on 10 mg, injecting every ten days.
I slowed down on 2.5, just went up to 5 after almost four months. Down about 27. My hair is a bit thinner than it used to be, but I think that may be normal post-menopause. Hoping the slower losing is keeping it from getting worse.
I feel better in so many ways, but don’t think I look that different yet. I know that’s not as important as health, but I still would like to see a before/after difference at some point. Been slowed down lately by a nasty bout of RSV which is keeping me from getting the exercise I need, but hoping to be on the mend now.
Still shedding like a dog after about four months. Down 22 lbs and close to my goal weight of 145 or so. Have been on the lowest dose the whole time.
I agree that health is more important than good hair. My hair is a frizzy curly mess after menopause so it couldn’t look much worse. It’s up in a messy bun most days now.
For those who are having hair loss, know that oral minoxidil, half of a 2.5 mg tablet daily, can be very effective, and much less trouble than applying it topically. However, there is often an initial shedding period about 4-6 weeks into the process.
It, too, is a medication that only will work as long as you stay on it. Most people have no side effects.
I would be worried about more shedding on top of what is already occurring! I’d be bald if the rate of shedding increased even just for a short period.
It doesn’t happen to everyone, and the end result is usually very good for most people. Really helped me after hair thinned horribly from age and chemo.
This article explains the researched and documented benefits of the use of the GLP-1 meds in weight loss.
Not sure if there is a gift link (sorry) but the information is to add support to those using the meds. The final notation is: “ It’s not a bad thing that we have medications that deliver better outcomes than lifestyle — in fact, it’s terrific, and thankfully that they do is true for pretty much every medical condition for which we have medication. That’s in fact why we have medications! And so this constant refrain of golly-gee wouldn’t it be better if we could just manage obesity with lifestyle changes needs to be put to rest — we literally know it wouldn’t be better, and it’s only weight bias that would lead this evidence-based statement to seem off-putting. “.
This article does the opposite of any possible “debating”. It helps those making the choice to use these meds understand that it is an efficacious choice, and even when one weans off the meds, most can in fact maintain the weight loss.
Thank you for posting this! I’m going to read it, but my first thought was, yay for the support! But also, what I love about this drug is that i am finally seeing results from diet and exercise. This is why my doctor suggested it–she knows what I do already for exercise, she knows that I strive to eat moderately and healthily, but she also knows that those weren’t enough. This drug helps me keep to my best habits, and those best habits make it work. The lack of food noise is a godsend.
[Edit–I see that’s basically what it is saying. This is great!]