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6 Compounded Semaglutide Before and After Stories You Need To Hear

Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

Reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

Written by Hadley Mendelsohn

Published 06/10/2025

Updated 07/02/2025

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy® — are changing the weight loss conversation. 

Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, but it’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss. Wegovy® is FDA-approved for weight management in adults with obesity (or overweight with a weight-related condition like high blood pressure or sleep apnea). 

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy®, but it’s not the same medication — and it’s not FDA-approved.* Hers offers access to compounded semaglutide for those who qualify.

Hers customers report losing an average of 11 pounds in the first 2 months with compounded semaglutide.**

Ahead, six women (all Hers customers) share their experiences. You’ll hear about everything from their decision to start a weight loss medication, to the early days of treatment, to the results — results you can see for yourself in their compounded semaglutide before and after pictures.

*The FDA does not evaluate compounded drugs for safety, efficacy, or quality.

**Based on self-reported data from approximately 1,525 Hers customers on a personalized treatment plan including compounded GLP-1 injections, along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Customers reported their weight at their initial medical consultation and check-in approximately 2 months later.

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary. 

After years of yo-yo dieting and weight creep, Sherry, was feeling discouraged. “I took a cruise with my two sisters and couldn't walk without being winded and sore,” she says. “Lugging [around] 100 extra pounds was making it difficult to breathe and live my life.”  

Within weeks of starting semaglutide, Sherry noticed a huge shift — she no longer woke up thinking about food, and her energy started coming back. Since starting treatment in July 2024, she’s lost over 50 pounds. “It was important for me to get healthy,” she says. “But this has impacted every area of my life!”

“My original wedding ring fits for the first time in 20 years!” Sherry says. 

Recently, Sherry headed out on another cruise. “I was able to walk between three and seven miles each day,” she says. “I didn't need a [seatbelt] extender on the plane, and I got to wear a cute swimsuit, not one that simply fit.”

She credits Hers with giving her access to personalized care she thought was out of reach. When she hit a weight loss plateau, she reached out to her care team, who helped her adjust her semaglutide dose so she could continue working towards her weight loss goals. 

“It’s not only about the medication, but it's also about the tools that are available to help change food attitudes and train me to make good choices,” Sherry explains. 

Her advice to others? “Just jump off the high board and do it because you will feel better, stronger, and more confident.” She also suggests taking it day by day and celebrating milestones, big and small. “Have fun with the process and reward yourself along the way!”*

*Paid testimonial. Featured review. 

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.

“I wanted to lose weight for my wedding,” says Alyssa. “Diet and exercise worked slowly, so I wanted a treatment that would help jumpstart my progress.“

Alyssa has struggled with her weight since childhood, and her past attempts at weight loss had been unsuccessful. “At my heaviest,” she says, “diet and exercise were extremely difficult, leaving me sore and sliding backwards.”  

With her wedding coming up, Alyssa went looking for medical treatment options and discovered Weight Loss by Hers. “Not only was signing up easy,” says Alyssa, “but Hers also provides sustainable resources — info for healthy habits, meal replacements, etc. — for life after treatment.”

“I feel supported by the care providers and heard when I think things need adjusting,” she says of her experience with Hers. “Using a GLP-1 fits my lifestyle, and receiving the treatment directly through the mail is convenient.”

“I’ve lost a total of 20 pounds on my weight loss journey, and I attribute a great deal of that success to Hers,” says Alyssa. 

“Losing weight helped me gain confidence,” she says. “It was a catalyst for feeling healthy on the inside as well as the outside.”**

**Featured review.

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.

Tiffany tried many approaches to weight loss over the years, but motherhood and a high-stress career often took priority. “No one should be overwhelmed and feel like weight loss is a second job,” she says. 

Today, after a few months on weight loss medication, food just feels simpler. “There is no mental noise of pizza, fries, cakes, cookies, starches. It's just me!” She describes it as being able to “make good choices with minimal effort.” 

“I like that I don’t have cravings, but eat in moderation. That’s a powerful feeling from someone who comes from a strong culture with a vibrant and diverse relationship with food,” Tiffany shares.

While Tiffany is beginning to feel more like herself and more comfortable in her skin, she acknowledges that GLP-1s are not magic. “Honestly, I expected that I would lose weight rapidly and that it would [just] fall off. However, that is not realistic for me. I have to make the changes to accompany the GLP-1. I have to exercise, be consistent, drink more water, remain active, and increase protein.”

“To me, losing weight carries a mix of emotions,” says Tiffany. “It is joy, pride, trust, and patience.” 

“Some weeks are stagnant and I do not lose any weight,” she says. Other weeks, she gets on the scale and is encouraged to see she’s dropped a few pounds. That progress gives her the motivation to stick with the lifestyle changes she’s implemented. 

“My progress with weight loss means that I can focus on other forms of my well-being and gain confidence in myself to be better and make healthier choices.”*

*Paid testimonial. Featured review.  

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.

“I wanted to lose weight so that I could resume the active lifestyle I enjoyed before gaining weight,” Erin tells us. And with grandkids on the way, it seemed like the right time. “I knew the weight I was carrying was a health risk, and I strongly desire to be healthy as I continue to age,” she says.  

“At only 5-foot-1, carrying too much weight seemed magnified and was embarrassing. I tried to hide in baggy and unattractive clothes and found myself not wanting to go places where I needed to dress up,” Erin explains. “I wanted to start enjoying my life again.”

As a retired nurse, Erin explored GLP-1 weight loss medications with a discerning eye. After exploring multiple online programs, she chose to sign up with Hers. “[The Weight Loss by Hers program] seemed to surpass the quality I was looking for, and it was a company I felt like I could trust.” The positive reviews she read helped seal the deal.

From the beginning, Erin appreciated the transparent and proactive communication with her care team. “I felt like there were no surprises and everything was straightforward,” she recalls. She also found the support team responsive and kind, and loves the occasional check-ins.

Erin has lost almost 20 pounds in the three months since signing up with Hers. “Everything that I was hoping has come true,” she says. “I feel and look so much better. People notice and say how healthy I look. Some even say I look younger!” 

“I’ve gained energy and motivation,” she says, “and this has encouraged me to try new exercise classes I've never done before.” 

“I love the way I look in my clothes,” she adds, “so my confidence has skyrocketed.”

And unlike previous weight loss efforts, the results have felt steady and sustainable. “It’s sincerely frustrating when you’re trying really hard and seem to be on the 'yo-yo' weight loss journey with not much to show. That has not been the case here.”**

Looking back, she only wishes she’d taken the leap sooner.

**Featured review.

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.

Ashley turned to Hers after hitting her highest weight and realizing how much it was impacting her daily life. “I was at my heaviest I have ever been and was getting out of breath just walking around like normal,” she says. “I knew I had to do something to change that.”

“I’d seen the [Hers] ads online and commercials talking about how easy of a process it was to get signed up,” says Ashley. “The sign-up process was seamless and so easy.” 

Though she experienced some semaglutide side effects in the beginning of treatment  — mostly some dry mouth and nausea — she was able to manage them quickly. “I was able to get that under control with Zofran® and plenty of electrolytes.” (Zofran is the brand-name version of ondansetron, a prescription anti-nausea medication.)

And soon, she started seeing results. “It felt great to watch the weight fall off so fast,” Ashley says. “I feel amazing, like I can do normal activities without getting out of breath. My clothes fit better. I’m just overall happier.”

Three months in, she continues to feel positive and supported. “Treatment has been amazing and seamless!” she says. “My confidence and activity levels have increased.”*

*Paid testimonial. Featured review.

Before and after images shared by customer. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.

For Brittany weight loss wasn’t just about the number on the scale — it was about freedom. “My goal is to be able to do things with my family without having to worry about my size or weight,” she says. “I was so tired of missing out on all of the fun things that my family was doing simply because I didn’t fit or I was too tired.”

After reading positive reviews online, Brittany decided to sign up with Hers, and she was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get started.

While she had initial concerns about self-injecting, they quickly faded. “With the videos and tools in the app, and the information within my package, I was easily able to inject myself and have been able to for the entire process.”

In addition to medication support, Brittany found the Hers app helpful for building long-term healthy habits. “The app has been incredible in helping me learn about the medication, as well as healthy habits and exercise goals,” she says.

Her relationship with food has changed, too. “Instead of spending my whole day obsessing over what I want to eat or counting calories, I am able to focus on what is going to give me the best nutrition,” she says.

What’s kept her going isn’t just the progress — it’s the support. “I don’t feel like I’m doing this all by myself,” Brittany says. “I have received so much support from the Hers community, as well as my provider.”

Seven months into treatment, Brittany says her life has transformed. “I’m finally able to do things with my family that I had previously never been able to do. This has been life-changing.”*

*Paid testimonial. Featured review.

How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Month on GLP-1s?

It can really vary depending on the medication you’re taking, your dose, and how you respond to it.

Both Ozempic and Wegovy® technically “start working” pretty soon after they’re injected. Specifically, they reach peak levels in the body within one to three days post-semaglutide injection.

So, you could start feeling some of the effects within your first few days or weeks of treatment, like a reduced appetite and feeling fuller sooner and for longer. 

Visible weight loss results can take a few weeks or longer, depending on how your body reacts. 

In clinical trials, people who combined Wegovy® with lifestyle changes lost about two percent of their body weight after four weeks. By eight weeks, they lost an average of four percent of their body weight. After 68 weeks (so, a little over a year), participants lost an average of 15 percent — and up to 20 percent, in some cases — of their body weight.

What Foods Should You Avoid While Taking Semaglutide?

Semaglutide works in part by slowing gastric emptying. This means food stays in your stomach longer before it’s digested, which helps you feel fuller for longer.

Because of this, certain foods, especially those high in fat, can slow digestion even more. When combined with semaglutide, it’s possible they could worsen side effects like nausea, bloating, or constipation.

The good news? These same foods tend to work against weight loss goals and can spike blood sugar levels. Avoiding them may not only help reduce discomfort but also support better outcomes overall.

So some foods you may want to avoid while taking semalgutide include:

  • Fried and greasy foods

  • Sugary or ultra-processed foods and drinks

  • Fatty cuts of meat

  • Alcohol

  • Spicy foods

Remember, everyone’s reactions to foods are different. So it’ll probably take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. 

Can Semaglutide Kickstart Weight Loss?

Yes, semaglutide can be a game-changer when it comes to kickstarting weight loss. When paired with healthy habits like balanced eating and regular exercise, it can provide the extra support needed to get results.

GLP-1s could make it easier to stick to those habits, helping you lose weight and keep it off.

How Does Weight Loss Through Hers Work?

You’ll start by completing an online intake form and answering questions about your weight loss goals, lifestyle habits, and medical history.

After submitting your assessment, a licensed healthcare provider trained in weight loss will review your answers to determine if you are eligible for treatment. There’s typically no need to book a call or video consultation, but it is required in a few states.

If you’re eligible, a provider will then write a prescription for weight loss medication, and you’ll get a personalized treatment plan. Medications — and anything else you’ll need to start treatment, like injection supplies — are shipped to your door at no extra charge.

You can also ask questions, talk through side effects, or get medication adjustments, if needed, with 24/7 unlimited access to licensed providers who are trained in weight management.

You can also buy doctor-recommended high-protein meal replacement shakes and bars through Hers to support your weight loss journey. 

If you want to get started with weight loss medications like compounded semaglutide through Hers, you can take our free weight loss assessment to connect with a healthcare provider and see if you’re a good candidate.

Compounded semaglutide has not been FDA-approved. The FDA does not evaluate compounded drugs for safety, efficacy, or quality.

Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S

6 Sources

  1. Gorgojo-Martínez JU, et al. (2022). Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with glp-1 receptor agonists: A multidisciplinary expert consensus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821052/
  2. Khodarahmi MA, et al. (2016). Dietary fat intake and functional dyspepsia. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4863403/
  3. OZEMPIC. Semaglutide injection for subcutaneous use. (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf
  4. Popoviciu MI, et al. (2023). Emerging Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10341852/
  5. WEGOVY® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
  6. Wilding JPH, et al. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
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