Ozempic, Mounjaro users talk about changes to family life after weight loss

"Weight loss medications like OIC can transform bodies, but they also reshape identities, relationships, and societal expectations."

Television personality Heather Gay and iconic media figure Oprah Winfrey have recently spotlighted the growing use of medications like OIC (semaglutide) for weight loss. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these drugs have surged in popularity for their side effect of weight reduction. Heather shares that losing nearly 30 pounds transformed not only her appearance but also her sense of self, relationships, and how she is perceived publicly.

While the medications can be effective, they come with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, and, rarely, thyroid cancer or pancreatitis. Experts caution that societal pressure and off-label use for aesthetics can exacerbate disordered eating and body dysmorphia. Heather emphasizes the delicate balance between embracing physical changes and maintaining a healthy mental and emotional outlook, particularly when influencing her daughters.

This story highlights the complex interplay between health, body image, identity, and society’s expectations around thinness, encouraging thoughtful, mindful approaches to weight loss interventions.