GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections with an Ileostomy: Experiences?

Hi all

I was interested in trying the weight loss medication called Zepbound, which is similar to all the other GLP-1 medications. I was told that since I have an ileostomy, I should never consider taking medications because they would cause blockages. The medication slows down the digestive process and could be harmful. I want to know if anyone else has tried GLP-1 medications and, if so, what were your results? Or have your doctors said the same thing? I have gained weight since my surgery and wanted to try the medication.

Hi and welcome. I'm an ileo too... 8 yrs now. Never heard of these medications to reduce weight. I would think as an ileo you lose weight due to liquid flow constantly.

Hang on... others will help advise. Just wanted to say be careful with weight loss meds and dehydration.

Big issues over the long term.

I hear the welcome wagons coming🤭... sit tight.

In my honest opinion, if it can cause digestive problems, that's not something I would take. We have a lot to deal with already, juggling between thick and thin and staying hydrated. Staying hydrated and avoiding blockages are our battles every day. There is a list you can find about medications and ostomies. It details which types of pills are safe and wouldn't cause a blockage, and which gels, capsules, and coated pills can. Also, the list will tell you how each type of medicine can affect your stoma. Granted, we are all different. But just Google it, and you can read up if you want to. And as warrior said, just be careful with hydration.

G-Day Shelly,

If you want to lose weight, don't eat as much. Medication to lose weight can't be doing a person's body any good. Regards, IGGIE

Agree. Watch the food intake and walk. It takes time but it's safer and proven to work.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi, I have two female friends (fully bowled) who have taken Ozempic. Yes, it works, but so do the side effects: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea. There are long-term side effects too (Ozempic face - loose, saggy, aging skin). One of them had to stop taking it because of the effects, and the other has stopped. It's not worth taking, in my opinion. You still have to eat well and exercise. The best bet is to do what I do: download the Fat Secret app and log your food. You can set how many calories a day to eat; it tells you all your calories, macros, etc., and tells you where you need to be eating-wise. I also weigh my food to log it and have a good, simple exercise program to start with. It worked well for me. I've gone too far and am now trying to put weight back on, but I was training hard too.

Just my opinion... I'm not a doctor.

Zepbound side effects are just as applicable to ostomates as anyone else. The side effects must be seriously considered if you have an ileostomy.

The side effects are:
■ Nausea
■ Diarrhea
■ Vomiting
■ Constipation
■ Abdominal pain
■ Indigestion (dyspepsia)
■ Pancreatitis

Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting can lead to complications like dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney problems or kidney failure.

As with side effects, not everyone experiences any or all of them. Adjusting Zepbound's dosage can help prevent or reduce side effects. Starting with a low dose (e.g., 2.5 mg weekly) and gradually increasing it allows the body to adapt, minimizing digestive side effects like nausea and vomiting. Staying hydrated is very important.

GLP-1's slow gastric emptying and intestinal motility can lead to constipation and partial blockages.

You have to weigh the risk versus the benefit. The use of a GLP-1 is not a weight loss and done activity. Current information suggests that continued use of the GLP-1 is likely necessary to maintain weight loss. However, combining medication with healthy lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in supporting long-term weight management and overall health.

Many GLP-1 drugs are injected (as you know but saying for the benefit of the silent readers). This is attractive for an ileo since you don't need to worry about it coming out in your bag!

Do you have type 2 diabetes or have you ever been tested for insulin resistance (precursor to type 2 diabetes)? These medical conditions are often genetic and can make it very easy to gain weight and very difficult to lose weight. These are the conditions that GLP-1s were developed to treat.

If you have one of these underlying conditions, the first line of treatment is normally metformin. But metformin is a pill (no idea if it will come out in your pouch) and it carries many of the same side effects as GLP-1s.

This is a very tricky situation and you must have a doctor who thoroughly understands the interaction between your illness, your ileostomy, and the drug effects and side effects. I'd even consider getting 2 opinions before starting.

IMHO, with your complex situation, I would not take advice on "do or don't take this medicine" from laypeople. I don't think this is what you were looking for but just saying...

If a medication could cause a blockage, I wouldn't take it. I've had a blockage that landed me in the emergency room, all dehydrated and miserable, and ended up staying in the hospital for 4 days. Luckily, they didn't have to operate. But you don't want to risk this. Trust me, you won't like the results if you did get a blockage.