Lauren Carrigher, 35, from Maldon, Essex, has lost 12lbs in six weeks after becoming one of the first in the UK to try the Wegovy weight loss pill, reporting no side effects. The influencer signed up for the oral GLP-1 medication as soon as it became available, after struggling to lose two stone gained while taking medication for menopause symptoms and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
A needle-free alternative
Although she had considered injectable weight-loss medication such as Mounjaro, she was put off by a fear of needles and concerns that injections could interfere with the absorption of her other medication. When she heard an oral version was available, she decided to give it a try.
The Wegovy pill has been approved for use in the UK and is now available at pharmacies such as Superdrug, ASDA, and MedExpress, although it is not yet available on the NHS. ASDA pharmacy reported 7,000 orders for it on July 6, the day it launched.
Positive experience so far
Lauren said: "I feel like I have had no side effects, I feel great living my best life out with the kids. Losing the weight has boosted my confidence – losing those 12 pounds. I was really excited when I saw the pills had come out because I knew I could never do the injections. I'm terrified of needles, and I'd also read that injections can affect how your body absorbs tablets. Because I'm on menopause medication, that was something I was worried about."
She hopes her body mass index, which has dropped from 30 to 29, will further drop to 24, helping her hit her goal weight of 12st. Lauren signed up through online weight management provider Voy, where she completed a health questionnaire before receiving the medication. The first batch cost her £99 for a month, and she also opted for some additional £20 vitamins to help her health while taking the weight loss pills.
Rapid changes and no side effects
Lauren first started taking her pills on July 11, and has so far taken one each morning. She said: "I'm always nervous about taking new tablets, so I researched everything properly first. Once I'd done that, I felt really confident about trying them and I was excited to see what would happen."
Just three days after starting the medication, she says she had already noticed significant changes. She said: "I've only taken one and a half boxes and lost 12lbs. The biggest thing I noticed straight away was that I was getting full much quicker. I got about a quarter of the way through my dinner and I couldn't eat any more. Normally I would eat the whole plate and then I'd still want something afterwards."
Lauren says she has not experienced any of the unpleasant side effects she had heard about from friends who used injectable weight-loss medication. She said: "I've had no side effects apart from feeling fuller more quickly. My energy levels have been absolutely fine. I'm taking the nutritional support vitamins as well, so that could be helping, but overall I feel really healthy. I have been on it for six weeks no side effects. I feel happy and healthy. I plan to stay on it until I get to 12 stone. Right now I am 14st 7lbs – I was 15st 5lbs before. My family have noticed I have lost weight and think I look good and I think it's that confidence that I like as well."
Advantages over injections
She has also noticed a reduction in bloating. Lauren said: "I always carry weight around my stomach and my hips. When I put weight on, my stomach sticks out and I feel really bloated. That's already started to improve, which has been lovely to see."
Standing 5ft 10in tall, Lauren said she weighed 15st 5lbs before starting the treatment and now weighs 14st 7lb. She hopes to continue taking the medication until she has lost another couple of stone. Lauren believes the tablet offers advantages over injectable treatments because it can be stopped immediately if it does not suit the user. She said: "For me, the pills are much better because if they don't agree with you, you just stop taking them. With injections, they're in your body for a month, so if you have complications you've got to deal with them for much longer."
She says several friends who opted for injections experienced sickness and stomach problems, something she has so far avoided. Lauren added: "I've got friends who were being sick and spending ages in the bathroom after having the injections, but I haven't had anything like that. I know everyone reacts differently, but my experience has been really positive."
While she acknowledges there has been plenty of debate surrounding GLP-1 weight-loss medication, Lauren hopes sharing her own experience will reassure others who may be considering the oral treatment. She said: "There are so many stories online that can make you nervous because people often talk about the negatives. There are always going to be pros and cons, but for me it's worked brilliantly so far. I'm eating healthy, I'm eating less and, for the first time in a long time, I'm seeing the weight come off. I'm really excited to see what happens over the next few weeks."
