Hollywood Is Losing Weight and Sources Say Their Secret Weapon Is A Prescription
Here's what you need to know before trying to snag this wonder drug from your doctor.
Most Hollywood stars are on strict diets and aggressive fitness regiments, but folks like Elon Musk, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, and more have had some dramatic weight loss transformations in the past year. What’s their secret? It could be a new diabetic drug that has gone viral on the internet and is making the rounds in Hollywood.
The so-called “miracle weight loss drug” is called Wegovy, and injecting it into your body via medical-grade shots is all it takes… oh, and a cool $1,000 or more a month.
Tech tycoon and billionaire Musk has been criticized for his body weight, shape and size (even by his own father, according to the NY Post), and publicly claims he’s been using a combination of fasting and Wegovy to achieve his newly redesigned body.
Hey, @elonmusk what’s your secret? You look awesome, fit, ripped & healthy. Lifting weights? Eating healthy? pic.twitter.com/mYeOUOLvgH
— Eva McMillan ♥️ (@EvasTeslaSPlaid) October 1, 2022
And Wegovy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 2, 2022
Wegovy, and a similar drug called Ozempic, are derived from a compound called semaglutide. These drugs are mainly a medicine for those living with Type 2 diabetes and were approved by the FDA for long-term weight management in June 2021.
“The medications were initially intended to treat diabetes, and were then found to have a significant weight loss impact,” Elizabeth DeRobertis, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, CPT, and creator of the GPS for Weight Loss program tells HelloGiggles.
“Patients will come to see me to create a weight loss plan, and I monitor their progress,” she elaborates. “If we find that someone is legitimately having a hard time losing weight, despite putting in all the proper effort consistently, they will be prescribed one of these medications to help with their weight loss.”
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She explains that the dosage is applied through weekly injections, which start at 0.25 mg and are gradually increased to 0.50, 1.0, and recently, approved to increase to 2.0 mg.
“These medications appear to keep both blood sugar and insulin levels very stable,” DeRobertis adds. “Patients report feeling less hungry, they think about food less, they have less carb cravings. They feel full faster when eating as the food takes longer to digest.”
It’s no surprise that these drugs are being advertised everywhere, especially on TikTok, where influencers have begun trying them in an effort to drop weight fast (and without the need for intense exercise or watching what they eat).
Some have speculated that this was one tool that Kim Kardashian used when she lost 16 pounds in a week to squeeze into Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the 2022 Met Gala — although that has never been confirmed.
@katesearly “Miracle” weight loss medication could eliminate the need for gastric bypass 🤔 #fyp #ozempic #semaglutide #weightloss #gastricbypass
Before you rush off to ask your doctor if you can snag a prescription, understand there are some side effects, like feeling slightly nauseous or stomach upset.
Also be mindful that these medications are intended for those who actually need it, and taking them unnecessarily could cause supply flow disruption for patients who need them the most.
Financial constraints may also deter you from diving into the weight loss alternative. The NY Post reports that injections can cost as much as $1,300 a month — and insurance may not cover it.
“Endocrinologists screen patients carefully and only prescribe it for those who either have a significant amount of weight to lose or those who have proven they are putting in the proper effort in a scientifically sound way,” DeRobertis adds.
The Wegovy success stories have caused a backlog in its availability, but she notes that alternatives are available, for those that qualify.
Still, if popular and safe enough, it could be a mainstream game changer down the road. “I have not seen a medication this effective on the market for weight loss in a long time,” DeRobertis states. “And I have been in the field for over 20 years…”
Losing weight fast is a dream goal for some, but the good news is there are lots of healthy ways to do so if you can’t get a prescription for drugs like Wegovy. And luckily, some of them are free, so you can look your best without spending a dime. Of course, consult with your doctor before considering any medications or weight loss programs.
