Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Saxenda: I Tried All Three and Here's What Actually Happened
After gaining four stone during lockdown, I've spent two years trying every weight loss injection available in the UK. Not because I'm indecisive—because finding the right one is like finding the right antidepressant. What works brilliantly for your friend might be disasters for you.
Here's my uncensored experience with all three, including the embarrassing bits, the surprising wins, and why I finally found what works.
Starting With Saxenda: The Gateway Drug
My GP suggested Saxenda in early 2023. "It's been around longer," she said. "Tried and tested." What she didn't mention: daily injections and mediocre results.
The daily injection wasn't as bad as expected. The needle's tiny, like an eyelash. But remembering it every morning? Nightmare. Set three alarms and still forgot twice in the first week.
Results were... fine. Lost 8kg in three months. But the hunger never really went away, just dulled slightly. Like turning music from volume 10 to 7—still there, still annoying. The constipation was biblical. Went nine days once. Nine. Days.
The breaking point: plateaued at month four completely. Couldn't break through despite perfect adherence. My prescriber suggested "eating less and moving more." Seriously? That's your medical advice?
Cost: £120 monthly through online pharmacy. Manageable but frustrating given modest results.
Switching to Ozempic: The Celebrity Drug
Found levelshealth.com after researching alternatives. Their consultation actually involved real discussion about my history, not just rubber-stamping. They explained why Ozempic might work where Saxenda failed—weekly dosing means steadier levels, better appetite suppression.
First injection: nothing. Second week: holy hell. The food noise—that constant background chatter about eating—went silent. For the first time in my adult life, I forgot to eat lunch. Forgot! Me, who'd planned meals around meals.
The weight fell off. 2kg first week, then steady 1-1.5kg weekly. But week three brought the sulphur burps. Genuinely considered warning colleagues about potential gas attacks. Digestive enzymes helped (wish I'd known earlier).
Month two brought unexpected changes. Coffee tasted like burnt rubber. Wine made me nauseous. My weekend rituals destroyed. But I'd lost 12kg and felt incredible, so adapted.
The plateau hit month four (seems to be my pattern). But this time had tools to push through. Added structured workouts using moccet.ai/forge—it created a programme that didn't exhaust me while in calorie deficit. Started carb cycling. Weight loss resumed.
Six months on Ozempic: down 23kg. But the cost was climbing as doses increased—£200+ monthly.
The Mounjaro Experiment: Next Level
When Ozempic plateaued again at month eight, levelshealth.com suggested trying Mounjaro. Different mechanism (dual hormone), potentially better results. They handled the switch seamlessly—no starting from scratch with new provider.
The difference was immediate. If Ozempic turned food noise to 3/10, Mounjaro muted it completely. I'd make lunch, take two bites, genuinely not want more. Had to set reminders to eat enough protein.
Weight loss accelerated. 3kg first month despite already being down 23kg. Energy increased rather than decreased. Felt like reverse ageing.
But the acid reflux. Christ. Waking up choking on stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors helped but worried about long-term use. Had to sleep practically sitting up.
The game-changer: using moccet.ai/sage to plan smaller, more frequent meals that didn't trigger reflux. Six small meals instead of three normal ones. Sounds obsessive but the tool made it simple—just followed the plan.
Results after four months on Mounjaro: another 15kg down. Total loss: 38kg in 14 months.
The Real Differences Nobody Explains
Hunger suppression:
Saxenda: 5/10 - takes edge off
Ozempic: 7/10 - significant reduction
Mounjaro: 9/10 - forget to eat
Energy levels:
Saxenda: Tired but manageable
Ozempic: Two-week exhaustion then fine
Mounjaro: Increased energy throughout
Side effects:
Saxenda: Constipation, mild nausea
Ozempic: Sulphur burps, taste changes, moderate nausea
Mounjaro: Acid reflux, occasional heart racing
Plateau breaking:
Saxenda: Couldn't break through
Ozempic: Broke through with effort
Mounjaro: Minimal plateaus
The Financial Reality
Total spent over 18 months:
Saxenda: 3 months @ £120 = £360
Ozempic: 8 months @ average £180 = £1,440
Mounjaro: 6 months @ £220 = £1,320
Consultations, bloods, supplements: £400
Total: £3,520 to lose 38kg (£92 per kg lost)
Compared to:
Gym membership I never used: £600/year
Takeaways I no longer order: £200/month saved
New wardrobe needed anyway: £2,000
Confidence gained: priceless (sorry, had to)
Who Should Choose What
Choose Saxenda if: Budget restricted, needle phobic (tiny needle), only need modest loss, can handle daily routine.
Choose Ozempic if: Want weekly convenience, need significant loss, can afford £150-200 monthly, failed on Saxenda.
Choose Mounjaro if: Want maximum results, haven't responded to others, can manage potential reflux, budget allows £200+.
The Mistakes I Made
Started too aggressively. Should've begun lower doses. Didn't supplement B12 early enough—explains the exhaustion. Ignored protein needs initially—lost muscle unnecessarily. Didn't have structured exercise plan—random gym sessions weren't enough.
Biggest mistake: not getting proper medical support initially. Trying to navigate side effects alone via Google was stupid. Levelshealth.com provided actual medical guidance, not just prescriptions.
What I'd Do Differently
Start with proper consultation immediately. Don't waste time with GPS who don't understand these medications. Get baseline bloods including vitamins. Plan nutrition from day one—don't wing it. Have exercise structure ready. Budget for the full journey, not just first month.
Accept it's probably long-term. I'm still on Mounjaro maintenance dose. Tried stopping once—regained 5kg in six weeks. Back on and stable. This is my reality.
The Unexpected Benefits
Beyond weight loss: chronic back pain gone. Snoring stopped (partner thrilled). Energy to play with kids properly. Confidence to change careers. Sex life improved dramatically. Mental health transformed.
Didn't expect medication to fix things weight loss alone wouldn't. But the combination of physical changes and actually succeeding at something I'd failed at for decades—transformative.
The Brutal Truth
These medications work. But they're not magic. You still need discipline, structure, and support. The injection doesn't fix emotional eating, doesn't create healthy habits, doesn't resolve trauma.
Use the appetite suppression window to build real change. Get therapy. Create sustainable exercise habits. Learn to cook properly. Because whether you stay on medication forever or eventually stop, you need those foundations.
My Current Protocol
Mounjaro 7.5mg weekly (sweet spot for maintenance). Protein target 140g daily (tracked religiously). Strength training 3x weekly (programme from moccet.ai/forge keeps me consistent). Weekly meal prep Sundays (using meal plans from moccet.ai/sage for variety). Quarterly bloods to monitor. Monthly check-in with levelshealth.com.
It's effort. But maintaining 38kg loss is infinitely easier than carrying it.
FAQs
Q: Which weight loss injection is most effective? Mounjaro shows highest average weight loss (21-22%) vs Ozempic (15-17%) vs Saxenda (8-10%). But individual response varies. Some do better on Ozempic than Mounjaro. Need to try to know.
Q: Can I switch between weight loss medications? Yes. Wait one week between weekly injections (Ozempic/Mounjaro), 2-3 days after daily Saxenda. Start new medication at lowest dose. Levelshealth.com manages switching protocols safely.
Q: Is it worth trying Saxenda first since it's cheaper? Depends on goals. For 10kg loss, maybe. For significant loss, starting stronger might save money long-term. Consider total cost per kg lost, not monthly price.
Q: How do I know which injection will work for me? Can't know without trying. Start with Ozempic/Wegovy for balance of efficacy and tolerability. If plateauing or side effects, switch. Having prescriber who offers all options helps.
Q: Will I need these medications forever? Possibly. Studies show most regain weight after stopping. Some maintain with lifestyle changes. Others need continued treatment. It's managing chronic disease, like diabetes or hypertension.
