Kia ora from New Zealand

[kiwiglutide]

Not usually one for long posts, so here’s a summary:

• Lifelong struggle with weight; gained ~20lbs annually through puberty and early adulthood
• Highest weight reached: 440lbs
• Lost ~130lbs about 5 years ago using Keto, regained some since
• Currently at 392lbs, stable for the past year
• Started semaglutide (~6 weeks ago) via WeightWatchers
• Down 6lbs so far, even with a cruise and several buffet-heavy events

Not targeting a specific weight; planning to get a DEXA scan and aim for ~20% body fat.

Found this forum while researching grey market options. I’m from New Zealand, where semaglutide access is limited to diabetics under the public system or very expensive out of pocket. Currently in the US and started treatment here, but sustaining full-price access isn’t feasible. Not naming the provider due to forum norms, but appreciate the helpful posts here guiding people in the right direction!

 

[Iamnew2this]

Hello and welcome 👋 Congratulations with your keto loss! 👍 Good luck with your journey!

 

[Skidude]

It ain't hard to eat well in the Bayou City, glad you made it here and good luck on your journey!

 

[kiwiglutide]

Appreciate the warm welcome all, looking forward to sharing more about my journey and learning more about these magnificent compounds.

 

[bibson]

Welcome! A friend of mine also made the switch from keto to GLPs - how has the difference for you been? Having been on keto myself, the freedom of mind that I can eat as much as I want (which, beautifully, is well below caloric excess now) and what I want is making my weight loss journey much more pleasant. Curious to know what feels better/worse for you.

 

[peptidepower77]

Welcome and good luck. I've been to NZ a few times, a beautiful country!

 

[piggygstrang]

Not usually one for long posts, so here’s a summary:

• Lifelong struggle with weight; gained ~20lbs annually through puberty and early adulthood
• Highest weight reached: 440lbs
• Lost ~130lbs about 5 years ago using Keto, regained some since
• Currently at 392lbs, stable for the past year
• Started semaglutide (~6 weeks ago) via WeightWatchers
• Down 6lbs so far, even with a cruise and several buffet-heavy events

Not targeting a specific weight; planning to get a DEXA scan and aim for ~20% body fat.

Found this forum while researching grey market options. I’m from New Zealand, where semaglutide access is limited to diabetics under the public system or very expensive out of pocket. Currently in the US and started treatment here, but sustaining full-price access isn’t feasible. Not naming the provider due to forum norms, but appreciate the helpful posts here guiding people in the right direction!

Welcome! I am curious how much does it cost to order a dexa scan and is that covered by insurance.

 

[kiwiglutide]

Welcome! A friend of mine also made the switch from keto to GLPs - how has the difference for you been? Having been on keto myself, the freedom of mind that I can eat as much as I want (which, beautifully, is well below caloric excess now) and what I want is making my weight loss journey much more pleasant. Curious to know what feels better/worse for you.

When I’ve been in deep ketosis for a while, I feel amazing. It’s not just the weight loss, the mental clarity is huge. It was the first time I’d ever had zero food noise. I’d even forget to eat and sometimes had to remind myself.

The only downside was how few keto options there are in NZ. When I was in the US, I loved having things like 1g net carb tortillas and pork rinds. In NZ, it’s pretty limited. Sticking with it long term was tough too because I like eating with friends, and it always turned into a conversation about my diet.

I’m still working up my semaglutide dose so hard to compare, first few weeks on 0.5mg were amazing and decreased food noise was apparent. I just had my first 1mg shot but my appetite is unfortunately starting to come back. I will likely try tirzepatide at some point and even reta once phase 3 trials are over.

Welcome! I am curious how much does it cost to order a dexa scan and is that covered by insurance.

I'm near Houston at the moment and it seems that most scans can be had for ~$100. I'm not looking for anything too fancy, just want a relatively accurate BF%. I don't have insurance as I'm from NZ so just paying out of pocket.