Patrick Gower has investigated whether the arrival of weight loss drugs in Aotearoa could be the answer to our obesity crisis.
“You can now get skinnier with a visit to your GP and a quick trip to the pharmacy,” Gower says in the latest episode of 'Paddy Gower Has Issues'.
He explains that the drug Ozempic has made its way to New Zealand under a different name - Wegovy.
Stuff reporter Lisette Reymer has used the weight-loss drug and shares her first-hand experience with Gower in the latest episode.
She explains that she thought it was “normal" to think about food constantly, and that Wegovy shuts down that noise.
According to Wegovy, the injectable works by reducing appetite hormones like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), so you eat fewer calories.
As with Ozempic, Wegovy comes with its own list of side effects, including the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), nausea, and constipation.
In a teaser clip, Reymer shows herself giving a progress update after seemingly dropping a size in her pants.
“Obviously a change,” she said, holding her now loose-fitting pants around her waist.
Reymer added that over just under seven weeks, she had successfully lost 11kg.
Though it might not be a fast-tracked ticket to healthy weight loss. She also appeared in a clip at the supermarket, admitting she felt “uninspired”.
“I can’t even think about food,” she said to the camera.
Throughout the episode, Reymer admitted to feeling extremely nauseated at times, having restless nights, facing some judgment, and even “feeling nervous about ever coming off this drug.”
Reymer explains that stopping the drug may lead to “piling the weight back on” and that it targets muscle, meaning users could lose muscle mass.
When you put that weight back on, it’s typically going to be fat gain, so you’re potentially doing more harm than good if you don’t make good decisions and establish better eating habits.
She says Wegovy is “unbelievably effective,” calling it a “super, super powerful drug,” but is unsure whether she will stick with it due to its extreme cost.
Reymer paid $459.99 for just one month's supply, so the price of weight loss comes at a significant cost and one that might not be justifiable for many Kiwis.
“Wegovy is not designed for vanity reasons,” Reymer shared in a write-up reflecting on her journey. “Beauty is not linked to a number on a scale, and I desperately hope the introduction of weight loss medication doesn’t change the progress that’s been made in recent years around body positivity.”
She adds: “But for those who are battling health conditions linked to obesity, Wegovy is an incredibly powerful and effective medication. It comes with some unpleasant side effects that many people will feel aren’t worth it..."
But for those Kiwis who really need it, Wegovy will be a life-changer and, actually, a life-saver.
As with any medication, it’s best to consult your doctor or healthcare professional.
