So, today we are going to share with you the Ozempic Weight Loss Before and After results of two people. So, let’s get started.
First up, we have the case study of a woman who gained 170 pounds after weight loss surgery but then used Ozempic and lost much of it and also no longer lives to eat.
Her name is Danika Steward. Danika, also known as Nika, initially began using the trendy weight loss medication semaglutide with the intention of demonstrating its ineffectiveness to her spouse.
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Living in the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina, Danika struggled with weight issues throughout her life. Although she managed to lose 100 pounds following a gastric bypass surgery two decades ago, she regained all of it and added 70 more pounds after having her third child. Her family’s medical history of type 2 diabetes, which is closely linked with obesity, further prompted her to strive for weight loss and maintenance.
Danika tried various diets to lose weight, but none proved to be effective. Eventually, she contemplated undergoing a revision of her gastric bypass surgery, which is typically recommended for individuals who have regained weight post-surgery.
However, after learning about new weight loss medications from her husband, she decided to give semaglutide a chance. Originally marketed as Ozempic, semaglutide was initially intended for diabetes treatment. However, the FDA approved it for weight loss in 2021 under the name Wegovy. The once-a-week shot has become increasingly popular and has even faced shortages.
Danika is one of many individuals who have shared their experiences with semaglutide with Insider.
In June of 2022, her physician prescribed semaglutide, which was covered by her spouse’s health insurance plan. “The results were beyond my expectations and made me feel better than I had even after my initial gastric bypass surgery,” Danika recounted. However, she recognizes that her access to the medication may be contingent upon insurance providers’ discretion in the future.
Effects of Ozempic on Hunger
According to Danika, the “food noise” in her mind ceased, and she lost a total of 104 pounds during the initial nine months of treatment.
The semaglutide dose gradually increases until an individual reaches a weekly dosage of 2.4 milligrams. Danika noted that when her dose was low, the effects were gradual, and she meticulously tracked her macronutrients and calorie intake for the first few months.
Semaglutide can cause a variety of side effects, including nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. However, Danika experienced constipation each time she increased her dose, as well as occasional mild nausea.
The most significant transformation for Danika, which did not occur after her gastric bypass, was the cessation of the “food noise” in her mind.
“I wasn’t even aware of my disordered eating habits until I began taking this medication,” Danika stated. She no longer obsesses over food or feels guilty about what she consumes, and instead eats intuitively.
“This has been a life-changing experience for me,” Danika remarked.
After almost a year on the medication, Danika is unsure if she still takes pleasure in food since it used to be accompanied by guilt. She still savors coffee every day and occasionally experiences cravings, but she generally derives less enjoyment from food than before.
“I now eat to live instead of living to eat,” Danika added.
What’s her Diet Now?
Steward has mentioned that she consumes approximately 1,000 calories daily, which is only half the amount recommended for adult women. However, she has made a conscious effort to eat, despite her low intake. In the morning, she has a protein bar to ensure she does not forget to eat. At lunchtime, she has a protein shake, and for dinner, she eats what her family eats. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns that very low-calorie diets can lead to malnutrition and deficiencies, regardless of whether a person is hungry or not.
Occasionally, Steward will indulge in a food item because it looks appetizing, but she is content with just a bite or two. With the introduction of semaglutide, she claims to have an “off switch” that she never had before.
How Does She Feel Now?
Steward stated that she now has a lot more energy than she did before and is capable of running up and down stairs and working hard on her business.
Although her self-confidence has improved, Steward acknowledged that she experiences body dysmorphia and has difficulty relating to her new body after being overweight for most of her life.
Steward is content with her current weight and has come to terms with the fact that she may need to take semaglutide for the remainder of her life, as patients tend to regain weight when they discontinue the medication.
“I would prefer to stay on medication for the rest of my life than endure the struggles and potential health problems I have had,” she explained.
So now let’s see another case study of another Ozempic user.
This other user is Pepper Schwartz. She is a sex and relationship expert and helps other people find and nurture love.
Due to her busy schedule, she struggled with weight loss and always needed some assistance in order to lose some pounds. That’s when she heard about Ozempic or semaglutide. She mentions that Ozempic did what I always needed.
Schwartz, a sociology professor at the University of Washington, is among the many individuals using Ozempic, a Type 2 diabetes medication known for its weight loss effect. Although Schwartz does not have diabetes, she started using the medication off-label under her doctor’s recommendation and medical supervision.
Schwartz shared that she has struggled with long-term diets that led to a cycle of weight loss and gain. However, since using Ozempic, she has found it easier to lose weight and reduce her food intake with minimal effort. She has lost approximately 30 pounds since the summer of 2022.
She has lost about 30 pounds since the summer of 2022.
“I have really thought about this in terms of health a lot. I’m older. I just don’t think I can afford to (mess) around with weight anymore because there are just all these concomitant things with weight, and none of them are good,” Schwartz, 78, who lives in Snoqualmie, Washington, tells TODAY.com.
She’s an adviser to Ro Body, a weight loss program that provides access to Ozempic and its sister drug, Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss. Medication is prescribed through Ro only if deemed appropriate, according to its website.
“I really feel that it’s much more serious at this stage of my life. I love the fact that my blood pressure is low and my cholesterol is low and all those good things. Those are my motivations now rather than trying to fit in a size 4 dress.”
Schwartz Experience With Weight Loss Diets
Schwartz’s struggles with weight gain began in her late 30s due to overeating. At 4 feet, 10 inches tall, she found that even a small increase in calorie intake caused her to gain weight quickly. Despite trying various diets, she was unable to maintain weight loss and eventually reached a BMI of 165, which is considered obese for her height.
Although Schwartz never indulged in overeating, she emphasizes that being mindful of one’s food intake is crucial when you are small. In search of a solution, she discovered Ozempic, a medication typically prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, which has a side effect of weight loss. Schwartz opted for the off-label use of the drug after her physician approved it based on her medical test results.
Schwartz found the drug appealing as it appeared to be medically safe, and she could eat less without feeling hungry. As she had already tried several diets, she was eager to try something new.
How Does She Feel Now?
Schwartz began using the lowest dose of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, to allow her body to adjust to the drug, just like all other patients who use these medications for weight loss. Semaglutide is a synthetic version of a hormone called GLP-1, which the body secretes when a person eats. Doctors say that patients experience decreased appetite, and when they do eat, they feel fuller more quickly.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of both drugs, reports that the most frequent side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation.
Schwartz claims that she did not experience any of those problems and that she now feels much more in charge of her eating habits. The primary effect is that she is less hungry and has changed her perception of portion sizes. For instance, she used to eat two or three times the amount of 2 ounces of meat, whereas now, that quantity is sufficient.
“The drug makes food less significant, less threatening. Now, I seldom finish an entire plate of food,” explains the professor. “There is food, and I’ll have some of it, but I don’t need all of it, and that’s fine. I’m full. No big deal.”
Schwartz is now more aware of what she eats and finds it easier to resist unhealthy food, which she considers an opportunity to establish better habits.
What’s Her Weight Now?
Schwartz has successfully lost weight with the help of semaglutide, which she takes to suppress her appetite. After starting with the lowest dose, Schwartz’s body adjusted to the drug’s active ingredient, a synthetic version of GLP-1 hormone that helps reduce appetite and make people feel full sooner. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the drug, lists nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation as the most common side effects, but Schwartz didn’t experience any of these.
Schwartz has been more mindful of her food choices and finds it easier to resist unhealthy foods. She has also changed her portion sizes and doesn’t feel the need to finish everything on her plate. She has lost around 30 pounds since 2022 and currently weighs around 137 pounds, and she intends to continue taking semaglutide until she reaches her target weight.
Schwartz wants to maintain her current weight and stay healthy, especially since she leads an active lifestyle. She knows that many patients regain weight after stopping semaglutide, so she’s prepared to take the medication indefinitely to avoid gaining weight again. She appreciates the ease of the drug and the control it has given her over her appetite.