Wedding planning can be a stressful process. For brides specifically, aside from having to worry about the little things like decor, the menu, and guest lists, it’s also important to worry about how you’ll look and feel on your big day. We talked extensively about this in our post “Lose Weight To Fit Into Your Wedding Dress”, where we highlighted that some brides-to-be tend to lose weight before or after their weddings. 20% of brides-to-be achieve their target weight, and 61.2% achieve it while remaining within their body goals. So, if you’re wondering if it’s normal to want to lose weight before your wedding, it is.
Still, many weight loss methods are available today, and choosing which way works best for you can be overwhelming. In recent years, weight loss medication has become an increasingly popular means of losing weight. However, taking these prescription medications to help shed some pounds is not as straightforward as it may seem. In this post, we’ll look at some examples of weight loss medications, how you can plan your wedding dress shopping around your medications, and whether or not you should do it:
What are weight loss medications?
When considering weight loss medications, it’s important to distinguish between the different types, dosages, and classifications. While all weight loss medications share the goal of helping facilitate weight loss, they may differ in function and application. Sometimes, you may be qualified for one type of medication but not the other.
Consider Saxenda vs Wegovy, which share the same classification — incretin receptor agonist — but are different drugs with different costs, uses, and eligibility. Saxenda, also known as liraglutide, was the first GLP-1 agonist FDA-approved for obesity treatment in 2014 and is applied via daily injection. On the other hand, Wegovy, or semaglutide, is relatively newer, gaining FDA approval for obesity treatment in 2021.
Wegovy has a lengthier recommended dosing than Saxenda due to its weekly application, so that’s something to keep in mind regarding your wedding plans and dates. Other factors, such as side effects, should also be considered, and only a healthcare professional can provide appropriate advice and recommendations for what fits your lifestyle and conditions.
Planning your wedding dress shopping
It’s best to make your bridal dress appointments between 9-12 months before your wedding date. This should provide ample time to pick out and order the perfect dress for your big day without being too far away from the planned date that you may develop “dress regret” and start comparing your pick to newer designs or more recent collections.
You also shouldn’t overthink how your wedding dress fitting appointments will play out regarding your weight loss plan and medication. Depending on your dress’s style, material, and cut, most boutiques will accommodate alterations to better fit your target body goal. It can also help to let your dress consultant know about your weight loss goals so they can tailor their recommendations according to your situation.
This Business Insider piece highlights that wedding dress shopping can be a vastly different experience for everyone. Ultimately, aside from picking the dress that fits your ideal body image, you should also consider which dress feels the most like you. If you lose more weight than you had planned or achieve your target weight earlier than you thought, alterations and adjustments can always be made. This is why the 9-12 months prior timeframe is crucial so you aren’t stuck with a last-minute backup choice.
So, should you use weight loss medications before wedding dress shopping?
Ultimately, the answer depends on the timeframe provided by your weight loss medication. If taking the drug is impacting your body and weight at a faster rate than you’d like, it’s best to consult with your seamstress or boutique to ensure adjustments can be made in time.
At the same time, you may not be eligible for weight loss medication, as these are often only prescribed for those who are overweight or obese or struggle with weight-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes. Your healthcare professional will likely provide lifestyle-based weight loss recommendations in that case.
These tips from Sportskeeda mention great alternatives such as calorie counting and food tracking, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in physical activity. Compared to the rapid weight loss associated with prescription medications, these may be a more sustainable way to lose weight while maintaining your health, and you won’t have to worry about drastic dress alterations.
I’m sketching dresses and women clothes since I remember myself. My goal is to be a major influencer in the fashion world, helping young ladies with their style decisions.
