I Tried the New Weight Loss Drug That Everyone's Talking About — Here's What Happened

I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I've tried every diet — keto, paleo, intermittent fasting. I've worked with trainers, nutritionists, and therapists. Nothing stuck long-term. So when I heard about Orforglipron, the new oral weight loss drug from Eli Lilly that was approved by the FDA in March, I was skeptical but curious.

Orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, similar to Ozempic and Wegovy, but it's taken as a daily pill instead of a weekly injection. The clinical trials showed an average weight loss of 15% over 6 months. I decided to try it for 30 days and document everything. I'm not a doctor. I'm not recommending this to anyone. I'm just sharing my experience.

Getting the Prescription

First, you need a prescription. I went to my primary care doctor and explained my situation. My BMI is 31, which qualifies as obese, and I have high blood pressure, so I fit the criteria. My doctor was supportive but warned me about side effects. I filled the prescription at my local pharmacy — it cost $150 with my insurance, which is surprisingly cheap compared to the $1,000+ list price.

Week 1: The Side Effects Hit Hard

The first thing I noticed was the nausea. It hit me about 30 minutes after my first dose. It wasn't debilitating, but it was uncomfortable — like a constant low-grade car sickness. The second thing was the burping. I'm not proud of this, but I was burping constantly. Sulfur burps, to be specific. They smell like rotten eggs. It's gross. My girlfriend was not amused.

But here's the thing: I also noticed that my appetite was gone. I mean, completely gone. I had to force myself to eat breakfast. Lunch was a small salad. Dinner was half of what I normally ate. I wasn't hungry at all. By the end of week 1, I had lost 4 pounds. Most of it was water weight, but it was encouraging.

Week 2: Finding a Rhythm

The nausea subsided after day 5. The burping didn't. I learned to deal with it by eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding fatty foods. I also started taking the pill with a full glass of water, which helped. My appetite was still suppressed, but not as aggressively. I was eating about 1,500 calories a day, which is a 500-calorie deficit for me.

I also noticed something weird: I stopped craving alcohol. I'm not a heavy drinker, but I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. On Orforglipron, the thought of alcohol made me nauseous. I didn't have a single drink all week. That alone probably saved me 500 calories.

Weight loss at week 2: 7 pounds total.

Week 3: The Plateau

Week 3 was frustrating. The weight loss slowed down significantly. I only lost 1 pound. I was still eating at a deficit, but my body seemed to be adapting. I read online that this is normal — the initial water weight loss slows, and then the real fat loss begins. But it was demoralizing. I also started feeling constipated, which is a common side effect. I added fiber supplements and more vegetables to my diet.

One thing I'll say: the lack of food noise was amazing. I didn't think about food constantly. I didn't crave snacks in the afternoon. I ate when I was hungry and stopped when I was full. It felt like a superpower.

Week 4: The Results

By the end of week 4, I had lost 11 pounds. That's 11 pounds in a month. I also lost 2 inches from my waist. My blood pressure dropped from 135/85 to 125/78. My doctor was impressed. I felt better, too. My energy levels were stable, my mood was good, and I wasn't obsessing over food.

But here's the catch: I'm not sure this is sustainable. The side effects, while manageable, were annoying. The burping didn't go away. I also worried about what happens when I stop taking the drug. Studies show that most people regain the weight within a year of stopping. That's terrifying.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Orforglipron works. There's no denying that. I lost 11 pounds in a month without feeling like I was starving myself. But it's a tool, not a solution. You still need to eat well and exercise. And you have to accept the side effects. If you're struggling with obesity and nothing else has worked, it's worth discussing with your doctor. But don't expect a magic pill. There's no such thing.

I'm going to continue for another month and see where I land. But I'm also working with a nutritionist to build habits that will stick when I stop. Because if I go back to my old ways, this was all for nothing. And that's the real challenge.