Magic pills promising to help overweight people slim down are nothing new.
When I was a teenager on Staten Island, back when ephedra was still legal, I bought a bottle of Stacker 3 diet pills. Lured by the promise of burning fat quickly with minimal diet or exercise, I was naive about the health risks. I was beyond excited about this “shortcut” to skinny.
I share this story because recently, over 20 years later, I’m on a new weight loss journey, taking another magic pill, hoping for similar results.
From the tabloids to my pharmacy
I first heard about GLP-1 drugs the same way so many others did — from stories about celebrities hopping on the Ozempic train (some allegedly, of course).
Stars who once proudly celebrated their curves or were applauded for “breaking the Hollywood beauty mold” were suddenly hitting red carpets completely transformed.
I didn’t know these medications were actually intended to treat people with health issues until my doctor, back in 2024, suggested I start them to help manage my type-2 diabetes, suggesting an oral form of the drug would be the best place to start.
Only aware of Ozempic and Mounjaro, I didn’t even know there was another route until then. If my A1C and weight didn’t improve through the method, he said I could try injections. My journey with Rybelsus for weight loss began on a daily dose of 3 milligrams.
Welcome to the club
As soon as I started a GPL-1, I quickly learned that many other people I knew were on them. Each had their own advice.
One friend warned me about saggy skin, “once the fat melts away,” and how certain exercises helped minimize that side effect. Other friends told me that drinking alcohol would be more difficult, leading to nausea.
They weren’t wrong. There’s evidence suggesting these drugs reduce an enzyme in the body that metabolizes alcohol, which means a little bit of alcohol goes a lot further, making it easy to over-drink. Similarly, loose skin is not uncommon, but that’s true with any weight loss of around 50 pounds or more.
Some of my non-overweight friends were even taking the drug so that they could slim down quickly. Part of me started to expect to wake up any day like Margaret Qualley in “The Substance,” completely transformed.
As it turns out, my metamorphosis has been a slow burn, and you know what, I couldn’t be happier about it.
How does Rybelsus work?
If you’ve ever looked into GLP-1s and found yourself mystified by all the information, here’s a simple guide: GLP-1 medications help folks with Type 2 diabetes and obesity by stimulating the production of insulin to reduce sugar in the liver.
They also slow down the digestive process, which leads to appetite suppression and weight loss.
Is Rybelsus a GLP-1? Yes. Is Rybelsus the same as Ozempic? Not exactly.
Rybelsus is a semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy, but the Rybelsus pill is the only non-injectable of the three.
Most reported Rybelsus side effects:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Bloating
The main issue I have dealt with during my time on it has been upset stomach. It usually occurs when I have larger meals than I’m used to or hit the snack cabinet more frequently. It’s never lasted very long or been severe enough to question my decision to start a GLP-1.
How much does Rybelsus cost?
Prices may vary depending on insurance and qualifications. For me, as a diabetic Cigna holder using Amazon Pharmacy, I pay $50 for a 30-day supply. According to Amazon, if I paid without insurance under a discount program, it would cost $1,035.
Rybelsus vs. Ozempic: my choice
Although I have seen many people have huge success slimming down with the injectable method, I couldn’t really get into the idea of sticking myself regularly. The oral option was quite literally an easier pill to swallow.
Rybelsus dosing: low and slow
I spent over a year on a daily 3 milligram dose of Rybelsus with minimal change to my weight and my A1C.
It wasn’t until I went to a new doctor that I learned that my original dosage was only supposed to be for a month before the standard increase. (My doctor, who went on maternity leave shortly after writing my initial script, failed to explain the multi-step process.)
Suddenly, I understood why others saw such a dramatic change so fast. Up until that point, the only thing that had shifted for me was that I had stopped going for second helpings at dinner. I had started to think I was immune to the drug, but as it turns out, I just needed a higher dose.
By the time I finally got my prescription adjusted in October 2025, I learned that 14 milligrams, not 3 milligrams, was the sweet spot. It should be noted that some people start seeing immediate success with 3 or 7 milligrams and don’t need to level up to 14. The key is to work closely with your doctor and share everything you’re feeling to determine the best path for you.
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You take the good, you take the bad
I’ve learned the most important thing when starting on GLP-1 medications, with any dosage, is to be really cognizant about how you feel. There’s more to this process than just lowering your weight and A1C.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what I’ve experienced thus far:
- Indecisiveness: I used have very specific cravings. Now I have difficulty figuring out what to eat.
- Smaller appetite: I never have room for seconds anymore.
- Focused: I’m no longer always planning my next meal, and what some refer to as “food noise” has (mostly) quieted.
- Taste sensitivity: I haven’t seen this reported much, but I’ve personally found that certain foods taste different now, specifically when it comes to artificial flavors.
What is this feeling, so sudden and new?
For most of the 40-plus years I’ve been on this Earth, food has been tied to just about everything: a reward, a stress release, even a cure for boredom. Grazing wasn’t an occasional bad habit; it was my daily routine.
The feeling of fullness was always foreign to me until now. Like any good elder millennial, I was raised to always clean my plate, which I did with no problem.
Portion control is now easier. If I graze throughout the day, I have less of an appetite for dinner. A Chinese food dinner I used to house in one sitting, now gets split into three meals, each leaving me fully satisfied.
About a month after my dosage increase, while at brunch, I ordered a salad and couldn’t finish it. For many, this wouldn’t be a big deal. However, when you’re an overeater, you know it’s a milestone.
Not the quick fix everyone expects
After more than three months on 14 milligrams, the changes to my body have been gradual. Statistically, with the average person losing up to 25 pounds within 6 months of starting a GLP-1, this is not as uncommon as you’d assume.
I’ve chatted with people who seemed surprised that I’m not thinner after hearing how long I’ve been taking medication, but I try not to focus on that. I have lowered my A1C several points, and I’m down a shirt size.
Rybelsus isn’t the fast track out of chubby city I imagined it to be. It has changed my relationship with food in positive ways, but at the end of the day, I’m still me.
I still have a sweet tooth that I indulge every so often. There are days that I eat breakfast while thinking about what I want for lunch and dinner. I still look at a menu and decide what I want to order at a restaurant before I ever get there… It’s just now I head home with a doggy bag.
In my opinion (and my doctor’s), things are trending in the right direction, even if the number on my scale isn’t decreasing as quickly as it does for some.
It’s not a competition, it’s about health. And I’m right on track.
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