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We get a lot of questions from patients about weight loss medications, and we understand why. Losing weight is hard. Now, everyone is talking about all the new medications that make it seem so easy to shed some pounds. What is it really like to take a medication to lose weight? Join Harmony healthcare provider Greg, PA-C, as he shares his experience, progress, and observations while taking semaglutide.  

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Q: Why did you decide to try a medicine to help you lose weight? 

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G: As a medical provider, it’s important to understand why a medication works from a clinical perspective, but I also like to know what the side effects feel like, how fast the medication will take effect, and if there is anything unexpected about the experience. Many of the medications I prescribe have been studied and used for a long time, but medicated weight loss is still a relatively new thing. I want to know the experience first-hand, so I can better explain it to a patient. 

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Plus, I really like craft beers, bourbon, and chicken wings, and it’s catching up with me as I’ve gotten older. 

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Q: How do these medications work, and why do they make you lose weight?

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G: Semaglutide and tirzepatide, two of the medications we prescribe, work by helping to regulate blood sugar and slow digestion, which makes you feel fuller for longer. They can also trigger the feeling of fullness and satisfaction, which downplays your food-related thoughts and cravings. 

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Q: Is medicated weight loss too good to be true? Is it really a safe way to lose weight? 

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G: When a patient is interested in medicated weight loss, we start off with a consultation to learn more about their medical history and lifestyle. We also discuss their goals and expectations to ensure we’re recommending the right medication and dosage. Yes, we’ve had some patients lose significant weight over time, but our goal is to ensure it’s being done healthily. It’s always our goal to help patients improve their overall health. For example, we love it when they can lower or even stop taking some of their maintenance drugs for things like blood pressure or cholesterol. 

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Q: Are there side effects to these medications? 

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G: There can be side effects, so we check in with patients frequently to see how they feel. Some experience nausea, acid reflux, stomach cramping, or diarrhea, so we talk about their severity and duration. Sometimes, we need to adjust or lower their dose so the side effects become minimal or even stop altogether. Other patients don’t seem to have any of these symptoms. But as with any medication we prescribe, we talk about typical symptoms versus the concerning symptoms that we want to hear about immediately.

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Q: What’s been your experience with semaglutide so far? 

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G: My experience has been pretty good, considering I started with 25 units (which is more than the usual starting dose). Thankfully, because I’m a medical provider, needles and injections don’t bother me. I’ve noticed a lot of appetite suppression and quickly feeling satiated after a meal. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but so far I haven’t experienced any nausea, diarrhea, or bloating that some of my patients have felt. Over two weeks, I’ve lost about 4 pounds, but I’ll admit that part of that is probably water weight and trying to drink less beer. I’ve also been focusing on trying to stop eating when l begin to feel full. Growing up, I was taught to clean my plate during meals, and honestly, that’s a tough habit to break. I have been filling my plate but only eating about 70%. My wife also taught me the trick of using a smaller plate or bowl than usual, so I’m even starting with a smaller portion. I’m not going to lie; using a juice glass instead of a cereal bowl has helped me make better choices with my ice cream portions.