I'm a Weight Loss NP and Here Are 4 Things I Warn Every Patient Before Starting GLP-1

When embarking on a weight-loss journey, a wise first step is consulting with a medical professional who can set you up for success. They can help establish a proper course of treatment that's both realistic and sustainable. After all, there's much more involved in losing weight than simply cutting calories. If you're considering taking a GLP-1 such as Wegovy or Ozempic, it's important to learn every aspect involved in that particular treatment.

To help you get started, we spoke with Katie Sorensen, Nurse Practitioner, Weight Loss NP, LLC, who shares four things she tells every one of her patients prior to starting GLP-1 meds. Social media typically highlights the dramatic before-and-after transformations, but as with any prescription drugs, these meds have caveats of their own you absolutely should not overlook.

"Patient education is so important, so people know what to expect and can make informed decisions on their treatment plan. Before a patient starts GLP-1 medication, we go over benefits, risks, potential side effects, as well as expectations for lifestyle modifications to support their GLP-1 journey," Sorensen tells us. "We do this in an hour-long initial consultation directly with the patient's dedicated NP, which differentiates us from many online practices."

Here are several things Sorensen warns patients about:

1. GI upset side effects: These include constipation, nausea, or heartburn and are typically intermittent and mild. Sorensen strongly advises to stay very hydrated, revving up your water intake to 64 ounces or more each day, working your way up to 80 to 100 ounces per day.
2. Keep meals cleaner and smaller: Sorensen encourages patients to avoid meals that are heavy, greasy, and/or loaded with carbs. "We notice a clear uptick in side effects if people have meals like the ones just described," Sorensen says.
3. Stay in sync with hunger and fullness cues: Be mindful when your body signals it's hungry or full. "If a person eats past the point of fullness on a GLP-1, they're almost sure to have side effects," Sorensen explains.
4. Know exactly what to expect. Being prepared when you start a GLP-1 is the name of the game. "One of the first effects of the medication people will notice is that they're getting full faster," Sorensen points out. "I tell people to expect to feel full faster and to listen and abide by that feeling, even if it means they are wasting food."

Going into weight loss knowing what to expect helps you stay on the right track of a prescribed treatment plan.

"Knowing what potential side effects and risks are, and how to deal with them, including how to contact their provider, gives patients a lot of reassurance and limits treatment anxiety. Having full confidence in your treatment plan, and in the support of your provider is essential in having a smooth weight loss and GLP-1 journey," Sorensen tells us.

It's also important to point out certain misconceptions circulating the internet—like the idea that taking a weight-loss drug is "cheating."

"This is a thought that's deeply rooted in our culture's pattern to blame obesity on lack of self-control. Really, obesity is a complicated metabolic disorder rooted in complex hormonal differences that affect hunger and satiety, as well as blood sugar control," Sorensen explains. "We would never fault a person for taking medicine for their other medical conditions, like cancer, or hypertension, but for now, there are still a lot of people who blame people for taking medicine to treat their obesity. I see this slowly changing, with both laypeople and medical providers becoming more educated and open-minded about ways to treat obesity."

According to Sorensen, "You deserve to do this right." Having proper support and sticking with small, realistic lifestyle changes while navigating your GLP-1 journey are both essential for long-term results.

If you're curious to learn what else GLP-1s can do, check out 5 Surprising Health Benefits of GLP-1 Drugs That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss.