Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1At3zmrTEq/ It’s been 2 years since the FDA approved the drug semaglutide, branded as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus,  for weight management, and about 6 weeks since it approved tirzepatide, branded as Zepbound and Mounjaro.  As more of us take these drugs, and we all know many who do, a raft of medical complications have begun to surface.  You should be aware of them and the need to self-monitor with greater awareness of your body’s signals. First and most important:  If you’re anticipating a general anesthetic for any procedure, consult your anesthesiologist at least a month in advance.  You’ll likely need to pause these weight drugs in advance as they delay stomach emptying and trigger vomiting which can be devastating if not lethal during anesthesia induction. What about other complications? Nausea and vomiting can occur without anesthesia again due to slow stomach emptying.  Constipation and diarrhea also occur.  Then there are also more serious gastrointestinal