Doctors Are No Longer Just Prescribing Weight Loss Drugs—They're Taking Them Too

Dr. C. Michael Gibson, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School, has noticed something striking at medical conferences. Halfway through a meal, his colleagues push their plates away almost in unison. They glance at each other and chuckle knowingly.

“You, too?” they ask.

It’s an open secret: many of these doctors, who struggled for years to manage their weight, are now taking groundbreaking obesity drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Dr. Robert Califf, former head of the FDA, has observed a dramatic transformation in his colleagues. "I hardly recognize them," he says. "So many are so thin now."

 

A Silent Trend Among Medical Professionals

There’s no official data on how many doctors are using weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. But if physicians—who understand the science behind these drugs—are flocking to them, it speaks volumes.

Dr. Califf compares this phenomenon to the early days of statins, when cardiologists were among the first to embrace cholesterol-lowering drugs. Back then, they saw the devastating effects of high cholesterol firsthand. Now, with obesity linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, many doctors are turning to these new treatments for their own health.

For some, it’s not just about looking better. It’s about feeling better.

 

From Struggles to Success Stories

Dr. Darren McGuire, a cardiologist at the University of Texas Southwestern, was once overweight and battling Type 2 diabetes. Then he started taking Ozempic, Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug, later switching to Mounjaro (marketed as Zepbound for obesity).

The results were life-changing.

He lost 30% of his body weight, got his blood sugar under control, and felt healthier than ever. "It’s amazing," he says, noting that many of his colleagues are experiencing similar transformations.

Dr. John Buse of the University of North Carolina has a similar story. He’s battled weight issues since childhood, cycling through diets and regaining lost pounds. But with Wegovy, things changed.

“I lost 25% of my body weight, and it totally changed my life,” he says.

His appetite disappeared. The usual hunger pangs that made dieting unbearable were gone. When he reached his goal weight, his appetite returned—but instead of regaining the weight, he maintained it.

One surprising side effect? His alcohol consumption plummeted.

“I used to have two or three drinks with dinner. Now I have one, or none,” Dr. Buse notes.

 

A Club With a Price Tag

While these medications are proving to be game-changers, they’re also expensive.

Dr. Buse’s insurance initially covered Wegovy. But when North Carolina stopped paying for obesity drugs for state employees, he had to fund it himself. With a list price of $1,349 per month, it was a significant financial burden.

At a medical conference in Europe, he found a workaround. A colleague prescribed him a six-month supply, which cost just a quarter of the U.S. price.

For Dr. McGuire, getting insurance approval wasn’t easy. His provider initially refused coverage, forcing him to appeal. “I knew how to push back,” he says. Eventually, the insurer agreed.

Others, like Dr. Gibson, faced no hurdles. His insurance covered Wegovy, and when he switched to Zepbound for even better results, it was still paid for.

 

Shedding the Stigma

Despite their medical knowledge, many doctors still feel hesitant to disclose their use of these drugs.

One Boston cardiologist, who prefers to remain anonymous, says she was prescribed Ozempic by another female cardiologist who was also taking it. “I haven’t told many people, but I suspect they know,” she says.

She’s not alone. Some doctors still see weight loss drugs as a "shortcut" or feel embarrassed about needing pharmaceutical help.

Dr. Gibson, however, is open about his decision. "Some people think it’s cheating," he says. "But these drugs changed my life. It’s the best thing I ever did."

And the medical community is just getting started.

“There are 120 new weight loss drugs in the pipeline,” Dr. Gibson says. “The future looks even more promising.”