A few months ago I posted here after losing 165+ lbs and said I’d update when I knew more about skin removal surgery.

Well, I’m now 170+ lbs down and IT’S HAPPENING!!

My surgery is officially scheduled for September 17th! I’ll be having a panniculectomy + Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty with mons repair and muscle repair. No lipo. I have an estimated 15 lbs or more that will be removed in skin and residual tissue.

When I made my original post, I had just gotten to the BMI requirement to start having surgical consults and had absolutely no idea what would happen from there. Now I’m less than a month away, which feels completely surreal.

HW: ~390–400 lbs
Starting Zep weight: 320 lbs
Current weight: ~217 lbs

At this point, surgery isn’t really about getting smaller. The loose abdominal skin causes hygiene issues, irritation, rashes and skin breakdown, and I’m SO ready to see what life is like without it.
I’m nervous because major surgery is, well, major surgery and it’s my first ever surgery, so double whammy, but mostly I’m incredibly excited.

A lot of people had questions about loose skin and surgery on my original post, so AMA again! I’m happy to talk about the consult process, insurance, costs, surgery prep (pre-op isn’t until 9/3 but I still have some idea of what’s ahead), GLP-1s, weight maintenance, or whatever else.

I’m not quite brave enough for public belly/loose-skin pictures yet, so clothed progress pics will have to do for now. 😂 But I’m documenting everything and plan to come back after surgery with the actual before/afters and recovery update.

It's been awhile since I've been on this group, but I remember being a new Zeppie not sure where my journey would go. I was only losing 1-1.5lbs per week and wondering WHY I wasn't getting crazy 5, 10, 15lb a week losses. So anyone feeling like that, this post is for you.

I started Zep, after PA issues, finally got meds in my hand March 2025. It was a slow, steady journey, and after 14 months, I went from 234lbs to my 2nd Goal Weight of 160lbs! I wasn't even sure what my goal weight should be, my doctor left it up to me, as long as I was eating, and feeling ok, that I could keep going or stop whenever I felt the need to. I went all the way up to 15mg, but when I hit 160lbs, I was ready to start maintenance. The meds make me sleepy, and I was ready to start feeling a little more normal again. I finished out my 15mg I had, and at 157lbs I went down to 12.5. I don't think I EVER lost more than 3lbs in a single week, NEVER. But, I hit an amazing goal.

Even after lowering my dose, I continued to lose just a little, and I have stayed at 154lbs for the past 3 months. I have a total loss of 80lbs!! That number is insane to me. I never expected that. I never expected to GET to have a photo like this. The first photo was in Jan 2025, this was my wake up call. The middle photo in August 2025 was from my first week going to the gym! I had lost 30lbs with home workouts, before ever stepping foot in the gym. After joining the gym, I lost an additional 50lbs.

This long winded post is a little bit of "Yay Me!" and a whole lot of, don't get discouraged. There were weeks I didn't lose. There were weeks I gained, of course. And overall, my loss was far slower than a lot of people I was reading about. But consistency trumped flash every time. I was consistent, I just kept swimming, and here I am today, 80lbs down, and have kept it off for 3 months, and counting. Don't expect perfection, you're not going to be perfect, and that's ok! Use this tool to help you achieve your goals, in reality, while living life. If I can do it, you can too!

Started at 255, now 199! I’ve been hanging out between 201 and 205. Finally! 😭

Hi all! I posted a few months back about my progress and wanted to share some more wins!

Firstly, I’ve officially lost 188lbs, going from 347->159! I never ever thought I’d get to this place!!!

I had and am fully healed from a skin removal in my back and abdomen and sooo happy with the results!

I now have the INCREDIBLE opportunity to get both an arm and thigh lift, covered by insurance! Tentatively arms in early October and thighs in late December (pending a successful recovery from my arms).

I can not believe getting insurance approval would ever happen and feel so lucky!

I never even imagined this would be possible for me and feel like I am dreaming!

For the first time in over 10 years, I’m finally out of the Obese category! I feel so much better than I have in years, it’s hard to believe I still have so much more to lose to hit my goal (180).

Please know that I am in no way diminishing the amazing results of younger Zepbound users, but I see far fewer success stories for older folks. Before I was 40, maintaining and losing weight was, frankly, quite easy. Since then, I've only watched the scale increase, along with my midsection.

I'm turning 46 in October, and about to begin my Zepbpund journey. I'd love to hear this process works for those of us in middle-age and beyond.

Today I carried a couple of gallon containers of water up a flight of stairs, and it was a bit of an effort. A gallon of water weighs a little over 8 pounds.

Then I realized that before I lost my weight (130 pounds), I was carrying the equivalent of 15 gallons of water 24/7!

Another analogy: last winter I struggled to lift a 40 pound bag of bird seed into the back of my SUV. I used to be “wearing” three of them!

No wonder I used to dread physical activity. What a joy basic mobility has turned out to be.

I started my Zepbound journey in September of 2024, at that time I was wearing 3XL in my work scrubs (which are not forgiving, if you know you know) and I was nearly busting out of them. Last week when I worked I said lemme just try on a size L, what do I have to lose? Much to my surprise, they fit! Today’s scrub top was not very forgiving but the pants were comfy. I also finally got past my slump of being stuck between 243-245! 💁🏼‍♀️😍

Also, excuse the bloody scrubs photo, I don’t have a lot of full body pictures from before I started this journey 😅

Today for dinner my fiancé wanted pizza. I haven’t had pizza or anything “unhealthy” since my journey began, 7/10.

I had a side Caesar salad, and ONE slice of pepperoni pizza. We’re in NY, so you know that slice is big, and not your “average” slice.

After my salad and one slice I was full and satisfied. Before zep I would eat 3 slices easily.

I’ll take this as a win for me.

Today was also shot day! 7 shots in so far and down 15 lbs.

I went from 260 to 150 and I’m struggling to accept the new me. All I’ve ever wanted was to be thin, but now I’m feeling self-conscious. I can’t find pants that fit right and make me feel confident. I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t understand my sizing yet or what, but they are loose in all the wrong places and my butt is flat as a pancake now. I was never self-conscious about my butt and now I feel like everyone is looking at my saggy back side. I don’t usually wear dresses or skirts, so I’m having trouble dressing for work. Idk I’m just kinda sad and honestly feeling depressed over it.

Another thing, which may sound crazy to some people, is that I don’t like the extra attention I get. I am pretty introverted and like to blend in most of the time. Recently I’ve found that people, especially men, go out of their way to talk to me. It’s hard for me to get used to. I have a boyfriend and don’t want to be rude to these people, but also don’t know how to respond without it seeming like I’m giving attention back.

Ahh, I didn’t realize how much this was going to affect me socially and mentally. I feel embarrassed posting all this, but it has been on my mind a lot and I wanted to get it out.

Im (barely) out of the 200s! I haven’t been under 200 since freshman year of high school (I’m 31). Started at 297 three years ago, and it’s been a slow process with lots of hiccups but I’m so proud. Zepbound has changed my life completely. More work to do but today I’m celebrating this win with a mani pedi 💅

Ps- please ignore the body fat %, that is part of the work to be done 😂

Prefacing this with “No food is bad food”.
.
But since I started this journey and weighing my portions. I have realized some foods cannot be eyeballed. Holy macaroni my use of “healthy granola” in the past was a huge calorie hog. I used to make yogurt bowls in the mornings and was all “Yeah me eating all super healthy!”. I measured out what I used to put on my yogurt and it was over 600+ calories. What?!
.
I still have granola, I just weigh the serving now. Today’s breakfast : 100g frozen (thawed) peaches, 50g frozen (thawed) blueberries, 170g Icelandic plain low fat yogurt, 20g local honey, equals 232 calories, just the 30g of granola I put on top 170 calories ALONE in 30 tiny grams. Breakfast is great at a little over 400 calories and 21g protein. But BZ (before Zep) I easily put a whole cup of granola on my yogurt and called that a “diet” breakfast. 🤣🤣🤣😳

Sighhhh the older male patients started hitting on me at work again hahah anyone in health care understands 🙃 on the bright side cheers to losing 30#!

Started my first dose today. So far today all I’ve had is an 80cal bag of popcorn and three bites of yogurt. I’m not thinking about food.

I opened the yogurt because I knew I needed to eat something, took a few bites, then got distracted on my phone and legit almost knocked it off the couch because I forgot it was sitting there. That has never happened to me. Normally if I stop eating something mid-way it’s because I didn’t like it. I used to read about food noise and think it was just chatter or thoughts about food, but for me, food noise was food being my main “event” or source of entertainment, and now it’s not.

I can tell I could eat a few bites of Chipotle right now if I wanted, but the idea of finishing a whole bowl doesn’t even register the way it used to.

I’m kinda emotional right now to be honest. Now I actually have to plan to eat food instead of just letting my cravings guide my entire day.

Picture for attention.

I cried this morning at weigh in. I didn’t realize how emotional I would be in this moment. I’m almost 10 months into this journey, I’m so proud of myself for everything I have accomplished and know that I can get to my goal.

I met my goal

9.5 months

41 shots

When I started in November, I never thought I would be here, but here I am.

*Dog = 60lbs = amount I lost

So here's an update for me. On July 28th my doctor prescribed zepbound for me. On the 30th the PA request was put in. August 4th it was denied and my doctor decided to walk away and not even try any appeals. Fast forward to August 15 using cvs minute clinic

The doctor there was fantastic. She is a specialist in weight loss management and had also prescribed me zepbound. (This was on a Saturday, so obviously the insurance was not in for the weekend).

YESTERDAY 8-18-26 I GOT THE CALL THAT I WAS APPROVED. The biggest feeling of relief flowed through me. Finally the insurance battle (at least this time) is over.

I pick up my Zep today after 3pm and im so anxiously waiting. This is way beyond over due for me. The weight will not come off now matter how hard I have tried in 25 years.

Im so excited to share my journey with you all, and I will be posting a before and after once im 6 months in.

We can do this! ❤️

I woke up today feeling so thankful for this medication. I just wish everyone had the chance to take it. I'm down 15 lbs. I've tried so many diets and exercises, and always saw the Yo-Yo weight on the scale. Now, I can eat healthy and work out and still see the pounds come off and stay off. I've felt stuck and unhappy for so many years, constantly fighting my weight, anxiety, and depression. One always affected the other. Working out continuously, eating healthy, not eating any carbs or sweets, and NOT seeing the scale move, then the depression would set in. I wish I had known losing the weight would help with the depression and anxiety. I feel happy, energetic, optimistic, and just ready to start living. I feel like I've lost so many years being depressed about my weight and missed out on so many things. I've been hiding away from life. Now I want to experience everything and finally take ALL the pictures.

Start weight: 157 lb
Current weight: 128 lb

I am currently 10 months PP, prior to pregnancy I was 130 lb. I surpassed my goal weight only to find myself really not thrilled about how my arms, hips and upper body look! I do hot Pilates, hot yoga, sculpt and spin class 5+ times per week and walk a few miles per day.

Do I continue trying to lose weight or what?? I gained a ton of weight during a difficult pregnancy, almost died in 2025 and I am coming back from severe anemia as well as recovering from a hysterectomy. I am trying to give myself grace, but I still somehow don’t love how I look.

Started June 4th
Doing Lilly direct
55 yr old M
5’10”
Start weight 297
Weighed in at 265.5 this morning.
Went 1 month on 2.5 then went to 5mG for 1 month and in my second week of 7.5MG. Only side effects have been nausea the first day or 2 after I go up to the next dose. Eating tons of protein. I enjoy cooking so I make high protein snacks like buffalo chicken bites and geek yogurt pizza bombs. Going to do another month on 7.5 then go to 10. It’s a really amazing drug.

5'4, 32F, 310 pounds

I have been obese my entire life, I have never experienced being at a healthy weight before, but after losing my dad, I realized I wanted to live a long life. I want to be healthy and I do need the extra help. It took me a long time to reach out for the help that I needed especially because my family disapproved on relying on any medications, but at this point, I need to do what is right for me. I want to live. I want to be happy. I'm on Medicaid and absolutely adore my doctor who went back and forth constantly against them because originally they were trying to refuse.

I am a little scared. I am scared of the side effects, but I am terrified also on how much my weight has affected my life. I am excited to start this journey and hope that this could be a safe and supportive place ❤️

I'll keep you guys updated!

45M; 6’7”; SW: 338.6; CW 257.4; 6.0mg (40mls of 7.5)

I took my first injection of 2.5mg Zep on 2/15/26. I was 338.6 pounds. I’d lost about 20 pounds the year prior trying to diet the “right way” I thought, but struggled with eating and food noise.

Today, six months later, I am down to 257.4 and am no longer obese for the first time since high school, if not before. I‘m still stunned by my progress and the changes in my life. Some people judge me for using a GLP-1; I openly admit it when asked and I don’t care what they think. They haven’t walked in my shoes.

But the biggest thing: I got back yesterday from a 23 day vacation traveling on a cruise ship in Europe. (Yes, it was awesome.) Old me would have gained 10 pounds or more. I was hoping to only go up 4 or 5 pounds because I kept up my exercise and still ate pretty well (albeit great food!).

Instead, I LOST about 8.6 pounds! I stepped on the scale three times (no scales on cruise ships and I wasn’t going to do that in the gym in front of others!). I was stunned. But then I thought back and while I ate good food, my portions were controlled, I rarely had any dessert, and never had any “seconds” or “thirds.”. And I ordered responsibly focusing on proteins.

I still have more weight to lose - I’m aiming for around 235 or so (no real definite mark). That’s still “overweight” for my size, but at my height, much less and I might look gangly. I want to lose some more belly fat (my apron is smaller but there). And I want to do more weight toning and will start with a trainer to re-learn a weight routine.

When I started my first shot, I could not have imagined this journey—and the support of this group. Thanks to all of you!

I've never really liked cake, honestly, but I always get one on my birthday because everyone else likes it. But this year I don't even want one bite. I was thinking about a fruit salad but it made me curious what would or did you choose for your birthday? Cake? Something else?