I Lost 5kg In 2 Weeks On Saxenda (Ozempic’s little sister) — A Sassy Team Member’s Weight Loss Journey

How expectation measured up to reality, trying not to let others’ opinions affect me, and the self-inflicted pressure that is part and parcel of the Saxenda journey. Read on for more!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you’ll have heard of Ozempic. While initially approved to treat type 2 Diabetes by improving blood sugar levels, it has also become increasingly used as an off-label weight loss solution. Its controversial rise in popularity has led to the rapid launch of other alternatives — Saxenda being one of them. The main difference between the two is that Saxenda is FDA-approved for long-term weight management, along with diet and exercise (for those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher).

Editor’s note: Team Sassy does not support nor condone the use of Saxenda. This story is purely the personal account of a team member’s experience.

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Why I Started Taking Saxenda And What I Hoped To Achieve

While I have an active lifestyle (I live in a walk-up building and love a post-dinner stroll!) I wouldn’t call myself overly sporty. I eat relatively healthily but have never been able to achieve significant weight loss with this alone. I felt like taking Saxenda would motivate me to change my lifestyle, eat better and do more exercise. Of course, I was also influenced by seeing the ‘before and after’  shots of countless Hollywood celebrities rumoured to be using prescription weight loss medication, and wanted to see if it was really as effective as the media would have us believe.

I initially set myself a goal of losing 10kg, which considering my size, I realise is a substantial amount. This weight loss objective was heavily influenced by the societal pressures of Hong Kong. If I lost the same amount of weight in the US or UK, people would regard this as becoming underweight (and probably consider me insane for wanting to lose that much!) but by Hong Kong beauty standards, losing 10kg would place me at a perfectly “normal” weight.

The Nitty Gritty – Injection, Results And Side Effects

I lost a significant amount of weight quickly — 5kg  in less than two weeks (most likely water weight in the beginning). Three pens are considered one treatment, and guidelines recommend starting with 0.6mg the first week, and increasing the dose each week until the fifth and final week. Even after the first week, I could see that the body fat percentage shown on my scale decreased (despite my weight remaining the same), but luckily I didn’t lose any muscle along with it. It could have been related to the changes I made in my diet, namely introducing more protein while restricting carbs.

When I told people I was taking Saxenda, most were horrified that I’d have to inject myself everyday (in case you are wondering, the needle is tiny so it doesn’t really hurt. It’s hygienic as you change it daily). The first thing I noticed was that my appetite dissipated immediately. I didn’t experience nausea or vomiting, the side effects that seem to be most common. I felt fine until I increased my dose to 2.4mg in the fourth week, after which I experienced severe dizziness whenever I stood up quickly. I thought it was due to low blood sugar, but eating a spoonful of honey or square of chocolate didn’t help.

The second day into the recommended fourth week dose I stood up to point out something in a high cupboard to my boyfriend, and felt so dizzy that I fell to the ground. The moment really alarmed me because I felt completely out of my control.

To me, fainting seems like a more serious side effect than nausea or vomiting.

I decided to slow down and return to the week 3 dose of 1.8mg, after which I felt better. I lost an average of 1kg a day during the first week, but my weight has since plateaued and I have not quite achieved the Hollywood-worthy results I was expecting. 

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Reactions To My Weight Loss And How It Made Me Feel

After witnessing my weight loss as a result of Saxenda, I noticed that the initial concern expressed by those around me quickly turned into interest in trying it themselves. They didn’t care about the side effects and just assumed they would see the same results. Also, many who are taking prescription weight loss medications simply aren’t admitting it.

I was asked several thoughtless questions, like whether people could lose targeted belly fat on Saxenda, for example. They simply wanted results without any  supporting information, and had zero interest in learning more. There seemed to be no concern that this medication needs to be prescribed by a doctor for a reason. I was somehow positioned as an authority on the subject because people couldn’t be bothered to do the research themselves. I was shocked by the lack of critical thinking. 

I wondered if people would notice the weight loss if I didn’t tell them I was taking Saxenda, since I wasn’t very overweight to begin with. In terms of mental health, it was not an easy journey.  People commenting on my appearance all the time ramped up the pressure to keep going, and I also felt like I’d disppoint them if I didn’t lose enough.

When a person already lacks confidence, compliments just add stress and make you feel like you’re not allowed to regain the weight. Body positivity can be tricky to navigate.

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Weighing Up The Pros And Cons + Tips If You’re Considering Trying Saxenda

The pro of Saxenda is definitely controlled appetite, and as a result I was saving money because I was eating out and buying less. It feels like a trade off — I spend on the medication so I only eat what I know I will finish so the rest doesn’t go to waste. With less of an appetite, I didn’t feel like eating cookies or junk food, sometimes just a bite is enough. If you’re extremely overweight, changing up your exercise routine and diet can be effective. But if you only have a little to lose, results will be more appearance-based than health-based. If you struggle with maintaining your weight, Saxenda will help a lot. 

Aside from the dizziness, the main con of Saxenda is the mental stress that comes with the weight loss. My boyfriend thinks I’ve become a bit obsessed — weighing myself everyday, constantly checking my reflection in the mirror, and putting pressure on myself to fit into a specific dress size. 

If you are thinking of trying Saxenda, be sure to speak to your doctor about the right dose for you, rather than blindly following the recommended guidelines. The dose should vary depending on your appetite and you need to be careful. If you experience side effects after increasing, slow down and don’t force it.  Also, pay attention to how much you are taking to avoid losing muscle along with the fat. 

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The End Of The Road… Or Does The Journey Continue?

Although I lost weight quickly, while eating healthier (and less) now I feel a bit stuck, and Saxenda isn’t that affordable, so what’s to say I won’t plateau again in a few months? It’s tough because I don’t really want to stop, and worry that if I do, my appetite will come back and I may gain even more weight. The dizzy spells felt like I’d gone too far.  After researching, it seems like continuing on a low dose may be safer, but the information overload on the Internet is also overwhelming.

My boyfriend isn’t convinced I should continue — even at the beginning he asked if I really believed I was more attractive just because I lost weight. He thinks once I reach a weight I’m happy with, I should stop. Changing your lifestyle is the key to maintenance, along with diet and movement, to achieve consistent results.

I decided to continue with one more round of Saxenda, but will be more mindful of listening to my body and staying on a lower dose if I experience side effects. Even from the briefest of intermissions I’ve learnt that my appetite will return immediately. I was hungry enough to finish an entire bowl of noodles again, which is why establishing a healthy diet before stopping Saxenda is super important. Even more crucial is consulting a professional when deciding to continue or stop, as it’s hard to tell how the medication reacts in your body as this will be different for everyone.

Watch this space for an update on my journey! 

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