What you need to know about online pharmacies and weight loss injections

photo credit: reliefbeginshere.com

​2023 will go down as the year of Ozempic, and it looks like 2024 will not be any different. Many celebrities have injected themselves with semaglutide in order to shed pounds fast. It is in very high demand due to how effective it is. If you have been struggling to lose weight, you may think these weight loss injectables are an answered prayer from the weight loss gods.
I hope your sitting down, because I'm about to burst your bubble.
As someone who also battles her weight, I have wanted a weight loss drug to be created in order to lose weight fast. When I first heard about these injections, I was interested in getting one. I mean, I could get to my goal weight in only a few months with these shots? Sign me the fuck up! Here's where my inner researcher enters the chat and decides to look behind the curtain.
 
Ozempic is a treatment for diabetics.

• Drugs like Ozempic have been around for a while, not for weight loss. It has been used to help treat diabetics. As I dug deeper, I found that these injections are now in short supply because greedy people are trying to obtain them in order to lose weight. Many diabetics have had serious difficulty obtaining these medications in recent months. If you look at any message boards regarding Ozempic, you will find many angry diabetics slamming those who are stealing their medication in order to lose weight.

 
Online "pharmacies."

• Holy online pharmacies, batman! Like churches being on every block in the south, you will find online "pharmacies" on every corner of the interwebs! These "pharmacies" have probably popped up on your social media as you scroll your newsfeed. When you look at one, others pop up the more you scroll. They are fucking everywhere! They all whisper sweet nothings into your ear, promising the world (like that date you had where they talked a good game, but ended up scamming you in the end).
• I actually visited several of these "pharmacies," and here's something you need to know right off the bat: none of the prescribing "doctors" are board certified (I'm pretty sure they are people who flunked med school)! Also, when you make an appointment for a consultation, YOU have to call THEM.

I did have one that called me 30 mins prior to my consultation, and here's what happened:
She was a "nurse" who went on and on about how Ozempic helped her co-worker lose 9lbs, and she's on her 2nd week. She also gushed about how it has helped her mom lose 40lbs in 2 months. If you ask any REAL doctor about weight loss, a healthy weight loss is 2lbs a week. When you lose it slowly, there is a high probably you will keep it off permanently. Anyway, so the "nurse" asked me about my journey with weight loss and what my goals were. I told her I wanted to lose 55lbs. She said I could easily do that in 2 and a half months on semaglutide Ozempic. She said it would cost just under $1,200. I told her I was on a tight budget. She said that they are partnered with Affirm and could do monthly installments.

She sent me an email with a link to Affirm. She told me on the phone what to pick in the drop-down menus. When I signed onto my laptop, I followed her instructions. Here's where things get a bit suspicious.
The program she wanted me to be on was not the price point she told me on the phone. It was much more! I scrolled through the menu and decided to experiment a bit. I chose the cheapest plan (it was a 7-week plan for $720). I went to the payment page, and I found EXACTLY what I knew I would find: hidden costs! This "nurse" failed to tell me about the $200 upfront cost, in addition to paying your first monthly installment! I exited out quickly, without providing any personal information, and I spent time googling this specific online "pharmacy." I clicked on their BBB page, and there was a complaint on there. *Surprise, surprise*

The complaint was from a woman who paid $1,200 upfront for her Ozempic. She did everything she was supposed to do. Guess what she never received: HER OZEMPIC! There are other complaint boards with similar complaints on it. Most are saying "buyer beware," and "scam."
 
Most online "pharmacies" aren't pharmacies!

• I know the desperation to achieve that perfect body, but, for the love of God, do not align yourself with an online "pharmacy." You will get scammed! If weight loss is a concern of yours, please talk to your doctor. It’s important to note that it’s not just these weight loss “pharmacies” that are suspicious, it’s most online “pharmacies.” Please do your research and make sure any place you do business with is legit!

As soon as you go off Ozempic, the weight comes back on!

• As I did more research into this drug, I learned that as soon as you stop taking Ozempic, the weight comes back on! You pretty much have to be on the injections long-term (on the lowest dosage) in order to maintain your weight loss. Wanna know why the weight piles back on after you stop the injections? Because people aren't meant to lose weight that fast and keep it off. It isn't natural. Natural weight loss consists of a healthy diet and exercise. Yes, it takes too fucking long, but if you want long-term success, you have to put the work in.

 
I hate to sound like a broken record, but please do your research before consenting to anything. If you are struggling to lose weight, talk to your doctor about options. I would highly suggest that you ask your doctor about effective dieting and exercise, and not the injections. As I stated, these injections are in short supply, and diabetics need these medications.
Just like I want to have long-term success in weight loss, I want you to have long-term success too. I also do not want to see anyone swindled by these fake “pharmacies.”

---