Dr.EndoIndy said:

The mental-health dimension is under-measured in the trial literature and the reports here are consistent enough to take seriously.

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in:

Before (280 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications, dreaded mirrors, avoided photos, social anxiety about my weight.

After (175 lbs): Run 3 miles regularly, pain-free, A1C normal, down to 1 medication, bought a swimsuit for the first time in a decade, actually enjoy being photographed.

Total weight lost: 80 lbs. Total life gained: immeasurable. This isn't just about weight — it's about reclaiming your identity.

Following on from sarah_TO — and this may be the naive question:

How long did you give it before you decided it was working?

labquiet_amy said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (280 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

labquiet_amy said:

...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...

I'd say therapy should be AVAILABLE to all GLP-1 patients, but requiring it as a precondition for treatment would create an access barrier.

Not everyone can afford therapy. Not everyone needs it. Some people do just fine with medication + lifestyle changes. But for those with emotional eating, body image issues, or disordered eating history, therapy is extremely valuable.

My recommendation: make mental health screening part of the initial assessment, offer therapy as a recommended adjunct, but don't gatekeep medication access behind it.

OP back with an update, since a thread like this is useless without one.

Update: I got the sleep and the intake sorted before deciding it was the drug, and most of the flatness went with them. Not all of it, and I am watching the rest.

jim_asheville said:

labquiet_amy said: ...mental health should only be used alongside therapy...

Mood changes on mental health: I want to be transparent — I went through a rough patch emotionally around month 2. Not depression exactly, but a weird flatness. Food was my main coping mechanism and without that, I had to develop new ones.

Therapy has been essential. I'd strongly recommend anyone starting GLP-1 therapy also invest in mental health support. The physical transformation is only half the journey.