Trizepatide Times
Weeks 9&10 - Big Girl Pants, Big Feelings, and a Big Dose of Reality
Weeks 9 and 10 brought a dose increase, a dose of dizziness, and a dose of deep thoughts—all served with a side of Mardi Gras madness.
I decided to put on my big girl pants (which, by the way, are now a size smaller—small wins!) and level up my Trizepatide journey. But before making any changes, I had to check in with my doctor. This is standard practice with these meds—kind of like a progress report for grown-ups, except instead of grades, you get advice on side effects and an official green light to up the ante.
I felt great, my side effects were basically a thing of the past, and I was in a groove. So, when Dr. K casually said, “We should increase your dosage to 0.5 mL,” I responded with an enthusiastic thumbs up!
Did I actually think through what that meant?
No. No, I did not.
Side Effects: The Sequel
Somewhere deep in my brain, I knew I should start mentally preparing for the side effect upgrade. But instead, I just blissfully carried on, convinced that I had somehow outgrown the nausea, exhaustion, and general BLEK.
Spoiler alert: I had not.
I gave myself the shot Monday morning, and by midday, I felt like a half-deflated balloon floating through life in a fog. Tired, nauseated, cranky—you name it. I was waiting (and waiting) to feel better.
And then came a fun, new side effect: dizziness. Not just a little lightheadedness—I’m talking full-on, why is the room tilting? kind of dizzy.
A quick call to my doctor led to some important revelations:
Good news: My blood pressure had come down enough that we needed to adjust (aka lower) my meds. Big win!
Not-so-good news: I had been slacking on water intake (whoops) and needed to drink a lot more. Turns out this can be a serious side effect so beware!
Tough love news: I had to get my ass moving with some weight training to avoid losing muscle.
Ugh. Fine.
A Crucial Warning: Be Honest with Your Doctors!
Something important I recently learned: If you are taking a weight loss medication, your doctors need to know—especially if you’re having surgery or a medical procedure.
A friend of mine is having a colonoscopy, and she was told that it is critical to inform the anesthesiologist that she’s on this medication. These drugs slow down digestion, meaning an “empty stomach” might not actually be empty—which can be life-threatening under anesthesia. This applies to any procedure, so if you’re taking these meds, speak up!
This isn’t just a Tirzepatide thing—it’s a good reminder to always be honest with your healthcare providers about any meds you’re taking. Advocating for yourself is a form of self-care. Be proactive and protect yourself!
The Weight Loss Mind Game
At this point, I had lost 20 pounds (yay!), my clothes fit better, and I could actually see the progress. So why didn’t I feel more successful?
Despite the weight loss, something felt... off. Like I was caught in this strange in-between space where the results weren’t dramatic enough to feel life-changing, but I also knew I was on the right path.
I realized my brain needed to catch up with my body.
Lesson learned: The mindset work on this journey is just as important as the physical changes. Weight loss isn’t just about shedding pounds—it’s about unlearning old habits, adjusting expectations, and getting comfortable in a changing body.
The “Taboo” Conversation
One unexpected side effect of this journey? People’s reactions.
I’ve noticed that a lot of people taking weight loss meds don’t like to admit it. There’s a weird stigma attached—especially from those who have never been on them. If I casually mention it in conversation (only when relevant, of course), I can immediately sense the shift.
Some people assume I must have Diabetes (which comes with its own set of opinions). Others act like I’m stealing a drug from those who ‘really need it’ (FYI: there is no shortage anymore). And then, of course, there are those who think I’m just taking the ‘easy way out.’
Oh, and my personal favorite: “That’s such a waste of money.”
Well, joke’s on them—I pay $24 a month, which is less than my coffee habit.
Here’s the thing: I don’t owe anyone an explanation. But I do find it interesting how polarizing this topic is. And let’s be real—if someone had a magic pill for weight loss 20 years ago, we all know they’d have taken it, too.
Alcohol & Food: The Mardi Gras Challenge
I have almost completely given up alcohol, not because I’m forcing myself to, but because I just don’t want it anymore.
Sure, if we go out to eat, I might have a glass of wine—but I barely finish it. Turns out, seltzer water with lime is my new best friend (who knew?). Bonus: skipping the extra cocktails helps balance out the times I go rogue with desserts or mashed potatoes.
Speaking of indulgences… Mardi Gras season is here.
If you live in New Orleans, you know this means party, party, party and eat, eat, eat. And let’s be honest, resisting holiday food was hard enough—Mardi Gras just took it up a notch.
But even with the side effects dragging me down, I still lost weight (which, considering the endless king cakes and fried everything around me, is basically a miracle).
Takeaways from Weeks 9 & 10:
Side effects return when you increase your dose. Plan accordingly.
Dizziness = a sign of real progress! Lowering blood pressure meds? Huge milestone.
Water is not optional. Skimping on hydration = instant regret.
Weight training is necessary. (I hate that I just typed that.)
Mental adjustments take time. My brain still needs to catch up with my progress.
People have opinions. But they don’t get to dictate my journey.
Alcohol? Meh. Turns out, I don’t miss it.
Mardi Gras + Trizepatide = a true test of willpower.
See You on the Other Side (of Week 11!)
So here I am—20 pounds lighter, feeling better, thinking way too much about what this all means, and wondering what week 11 has in store for me.
Will I keep feeling better? Will my energy continue improving? Will I ever find true motivation to lift weights? Stay tuned.
And if you’ve made it this far—tell me, how do YOU handle people’s opinions about weight loss meds? Are you open about your journey, or do you prefer to keep it private? I’d love to hear your take!