Weight Loss Drugs for Ostomates: Do They Work?

I am sure this was brought up before, but I cannot seem to find a topic.

Anyhow, has any ostomate tried the new weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.?

Do they work for ostomates?

Yes! Semaglutide compound, that I found online through Futurhealth, is why I now wear a colostomy bag.

Hello, I know several people taking Wevovy. Can you elaborate on what caused you to need a colostomy after taking it?

I got very constipated, which then caused my colon to rupture. The doctors I had bumped my dose up each month. I now know after speaking to nurses that it was a very, very high dose.

G-Day dmo,

Leave the drugs alone and just don't eat as much and exercise.

IGGIE

How to Stay Hydrated with an Ostomy with Collin | Hollister

That is what I chose to do. And it worked; I lost 75 pounds so far.

That's great news, IC. Well done.

IGGIE

Please elaborate. I have an ileostomy and do not want to risk my remaining small bowel to these weight loss drugs.

I've put on so much weight since having the ileostomy; I can't seem to keep it off. I had a pretty flat stomach before the surgery, but I had lost 4 stone due to UC.

I was 8 stone; ideally, I'd like to be around 9 - 9.5.

Can you please explain further? Did this drug make your intestine freeze up and cause you to have a colostomy?

It's very tempting because so many of my friends are on it and have lost a lot of weight. But I only have my small intestine, and my doctors told me that I am not a candidate. It's easy for someone to say just eat less and exercise more. I am only eating around 1,100 calories per day, and I am starving. But no matter what, I can't lose any weight because I am always so hungry.

I wouldn't try it because they mimic gastroparesis. If you have ever suffered from that, you would not want to experience it. In my experience, my gut is slow enough, and I wouldn't want to subject myself to a blockage. I struggle to be able to eat solid food at times, so I don't need to drop weight. But always ask your doctor, as we all have different issues. I have an ileostomy.

Absolutely!

I've lost 50 lbs on Ozempic. It really helps me control my appetite. The bonus? Now that I eat so much less, I need to empty my bag less often!

I always felt hungry. Always. No matter what I ate. Because of Ozempic, my appetite is totally gone, and I'm in control for the first time in my life!

I also only have a small intestine. The Ozempic has never been an issue for me. Occasional nausea at the start. But since I eat less, I empty my bag so much less often! It's amazing.

If Ozempic/Mounjaro is what you think you need, don't give up. I've had zero problems with it and my lack of large intestine. It's totally possible. Feel free to private message me; I don't spend a ton of time on the site, but I really wanted to share my success story!

Easier said than done. And if you're disabled and unable to do much exercise, then what? Restricting diet only helps so much.

Restricting diet is hard work. I have to work at it every day. And exercise is not easy either. But it can be done. I do get hungry sometimes. But I am stubborn as all get out. I average about 800 to 900 calories a day. It's not easy, that's for sure.

Yes, I took Wegovy (FDA approved), but it is very expensive, and insurance is hesitant to pay. However, in three months, I lost 10 pounds. I have an ileostomy, and it did not have any negative effects.

G-Day LIAC,

You should try and do what infinitycastle52777 did; she has lost 75 lbs. by eating just 800 to 900 calories, so she is proving you wrong: it can be done. Read her message below yours.

Regards, IGGIE

Can you tell us about your experience?

No! I tried Ozempic per my GP's direction. Three days later, I was in emergency with a blockage. After I got home from the hospital, it took my colostomy days to recover from the trauma. I did research afterward, and I read it is not recommended that ostomates use the weight loss drugs since blockages have been recorded as common. I have had my colostomy since 2008. I'll go for the old-fashioned way of losing weight: less eating and more exercise!

I have been taking Trizepitide since December of 2024. I have a colostomy. I always had soft stool output to begin with, and it has made my output normal now. My nurse practitioner says this drug was made for me since I have been very fortunate to not have any side effects. I have lost 20 pounds and have remained on a small dose. I love it because it is such a great appetite suppressant. I also had a gastric sleeve done in 2017, which helped me lose 80 pounds, but menopause just would not let me get rid of these last 20 no matter what I was doing. These drugs are a miracle. I am so very thankful.

Je suis du Québec, Canada, et je suis stomisé depuis 8 ans. Je suis en surpoids à 65 ans, et malheureusement, on vient de me déclarer diabétique de type 2. Si je veux Ozempic ou autre, je dois payer plus de $400 par mois, ce dont je n'ai pas les moyens. Le gouvernement ne paie pas :( ... Pourtant, ce produit m'aiderait pour mes 2 problèmes.

G-Day SH,

I think that if you want to lose weight and save $400, you should simply eat less and exercise more.

Regards IGGIE

I've been an ileostomate since '86. The last 7 years, my lifestyle has been rather sedentary due to a job shift that has my butt tied to a chair daily, thus weight gain.

Back in February, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It lit a fire in me to get more active and eat better. However, all my life, I have been a meat and potatoes type of guy, loving my carbs and having late-night snacks.

I was supposed to go on Ozempic, but at almost $300 a month, there was no way I could afford that until my deductible was met - which, as high as it is, I don't know if it would be per year.

No metformin for me due to problems it could cause, plus I have a family history of strong negative side effects from it from my brother and my dad. So here is what the doctor prescribed for me.

PHENTERMINE 37.5 mg capsules. Take once a day with breakfast (for me). It has really helped suppress my appetite, and for me, the only side effect is a bit of insomnia. Since February, I have lost 15 lbs and have gone from a tight 40 waist to a very loose 38. It also helps me to stick to my carb intake, and I do not get the mid-afternoon or evening cravings. Calorie intake is usually between 1200 and 1500 daily. Carb intake is between 45-55 for the 3 meals, and if I need a snack, it is limited to 15 carbs. Plus, losing the weight has helped me get more active (with the help of it being spring!)

So talk to your doctor, as there are several solutions out there that might be able to help you without side effects. Everyone is different. I have to always remind my doctor that I am plumbed differently than most (if not all) of his patients, so we have to get meds that work for me and are not time-released.

Good luck on your search!

I take Monjaro and have had great success with the loss of weight and bringing down my A1C. It does cause constipation, though.

Hi DMO,

When prescribed by a physician, these drugs are safe and effective for ostomates. My type 2 diabetes has been controlled while using Ozempic, and I lost a good amount of weight. So yes, it works.

MarVee

I've had good success (keeping off over 130 pounds). Just know that weight loss can result in excess skin that may create leaking due to such pliable skin. I have had to fight with my insurance, but I have finally been approved for skin removal (and will need a stoma resiting)!

I'm very happy to read your comments and include your type of ostomy, as you did. Obviously, we're all different, but I get frustrated reading replies on any topic posted here and not knowing what type of ostomy the person has because it makes a huge difference in whether it applies to an individual or not. Half the posters here have not indicated what type of ostomy they have, and that's critical information when deciphering their answer! I'm very happy to hear your answer to this question because I've also wondered about these drugs, and I'm happy to hear that someone with an ileostomy has had success! It gives me encouragement to at least try them, knowing it's worked for you! And to the original poster, a year ago I asked the same question and got zero help here with some nonsensical comments and/or answers, so I gave up. I'm happy that you brought this up again and actually solicited some solid answers! Thank you, dmo101!

I wouldn't think in terms of calories. I would think in terms of the nutritional value of what you are eating, not just the number of calories listed. Maybe check out a carnivore or ketovore diet. You will never be hungry, you will be giving your body the nutrition it needs, and you will lose fat. Keeping carbs as low as possible works very well for most people.

I have an ileostomy and have been on a carnivore diet for 9 years. Check out Kent Carnivore on YouTube. He has an ileo, also, and is a carnivore.

G-Day kdel,

I also am on a carnivore diet, and it does work. We evolved as meat eaters, and that's how we got our brains to grow and took us from the apes to being the people we are today.

Regards, IGGIE