Yes, many celebrities have publicly admitted to using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic (semaglutide) and its counterparts (Wegovy, Zepbound) for weight loss, with some discussing their experiences openly to reduce stigma, while others have denied use or spoken about stopping due to side effects or personal choice, making it a well-known topic in Hollywood.
Billie Jean King. During an April 2024 appearance on the “Wiser Than Me” podcast with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the 80-year-old tennis great shared that she started taking Ozempic because she hoped it would help manage her eating disorder. She's taken a few injections so far, she said. “I'm a binge eater.
The first thing you need to know is that Ozempic is actually intended for people with type 2 diabetes, something bariatric surgeon Armando Castro-Tie, MD, says friends, family and patients are often surprised to learn.
But about half of people with obesity on this class of medications, called glucagon-like peptide agonists or GLP-1s, stop taking it within a year. Studies suggest that most people discontinue their use due to the high cost and adverse gastrointestinal side-effects.
"I tried Ozempic and it didn't work for me," she shared in an April 2024 episode of her misSPELLING podcast, "so I went on Mounjaro, which did do the trick and I did lose weight."
That means a 20-pound loss is achievable within 10 to 16 weeks when the medication is used correctly and paired with supportive habits. Some people reach this milestone faster, especially if they begin with a higher starting weight. Others may lose weight at a slower but steady pace.
While many theorized that Aguilera suffered from tell-tale signs of too much Ozempic, she has repeatedly credited diet and exercise for her weight loss transformation.
The Takeaway. GLP-1 drugs are believed to be lifetime medications. If you stop using Ozempic or a related drug, you can expect both the benefits and side effects to go away. Most people who discontinue a weight loss drug will experience a return of hunger and weight regain.
Rare but serious long-term Ozempic side effects can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney issues, vision changes, and a risk of thyroid tumors. Ozempic can cause gastrointestinal complications like gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) or intestinal blockage, but these are also rare.
Will Ozempic or Wegovy reduce belly fat? The answer appears to be yes. That Novo Nordisk-funded study of almost 2,000 overweight or obese adults without diabetes also found their visceral fat — the type that accumulates in the belly — was reduced from baseline with semaglutide, along with their total fat mass.
Do not use Ozempic® if you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
"Ozempic face" as a side effect of GLP-1 drugs
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.
Monitoring and Medical Management Strategies. Managing a health condition like diabetes type 2 calls for regular monitoring and medical management. This practice is now routine for Hanks, who diligently monitors his blood glucose levels, never misses a doctor's appointment, and remains alert to changes in his body.
Key Takeaways
Patients typically lose around 5 pounds per month on Semaglutide (Ozempic®). Weight loss results vary based on dosage, body composition, and lifestyle. Combining the medication with diet and activity boosts success.
'Ozempic legs' is an informal term describing visible changes in leg appearance—such as reduced fat volume, increased muscle and vein visibility, and looser skin—that some people experience during treatment with semaglutide (Ozempic) or similar GLP-1 receptor agonists.
The digestive effects of sugary drinks can be particularly uncomfortable: Increased nausea and vomiting - Sweet beverages can trigger or worsen the most common side effects of Ozempic. Exacerbated GI upset - Sugary drinks often intensify digestive discomfort already present from the medication.
Key Milestones for Weight Loss with Ozempic
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the visible changes in hands due to rapid fat loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, making them look thinner, bonier, and more aged with prominent veins, tendons, and thinner skin, as subcutaneous fat diminishes and skin doesn't fully contract quickly. It's not a formal diagnosis but a common cosmetic effect of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face".
"Ozempic face," the gaunt look from rapid facial fat loss, doesn't automatically go away but can improve if you regain weight or through cosmetic treatments like fillers, as the skin's ability to bounce back depends on age and elasticity; maintaining weight loss means the facial changes likely persist unless addressed with procedures.
With Ozempic, nausea is the biggest thing for patients. It's the most common reason for stopping. Some have a lot of discomfort from reflux. And some just didn't lose that much weight.
Starting between ages 30 and 40, you may find losing weight and exercising more challenging. The exercise you do may not have the same effect as before. It's not necessarily a sign that something is wrong. This weight gain in middle age—known as “middle-age spread”—is a natural consequence of aging.
And although she has never confirmed anything, experts point to some possible explanations for this elegant change. An endoscopic facelift could explain the “lifted” effect without visible scars. Her firmer gaze raises suspicions of blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin and restores lightness.
Prices without insurance will vary depending on the pharmacy and any discounts or patient assistance programs you use. Ozempic list price is $997.58 per pen. This is the original price set by the manufacturer before discounts or rebates are used, and most people do not pay the list price.