A mother-of-five who found herself priced out of expensive weight loss injections has shared her positive experience with the newly launched Wegovy oral medication, highlighting how the more affordable pill format has helped her overcome a frustrating weight plateau.
From Gastric Sleeve to Medication Stalemate
Sharon Vickers, a 46-year-old enterprise procurement specialist from Greenville, South Carolina, has battled with her weight throughout her life. At her heaviest, she weighed 18 stone 11 pounds (263lbs/119.3kg). After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in January 2025, she successfully lost 5 stone 3 pounds (73lbs/33.1kg), but then her progress dramatically stalled.
'Unfortunately, there was only so much weight I could lose - I hit a stall,' Ms Vickers explained. 'No matter what I did, my weight would hover between 13 stone 6 pounds and 13 stone 10 pounds. It was incredibly frustrating.'
The Cost Barrier of Injectable Treatments
In September 2025, Ms Vickers began researching GLP-1 agonist injections, a class of medication that includes Wegovy and Ozempic. However, she immediately encountered a significant financial obstacle. The injections were priced at approximately $500 (£364) per month, and her insurance provided no coverage.
'The cost of weight loss jabs was just too expensive for me,' she stated. 'Primarily, it was the cost factor that stopped me. The cheapest I could find was $500 for the month, and with five kids, I simply could not afford that expenditure.' She also expressed reluctance about the idea of self-injection.
Discovery of the Oral Alternative
The breakthrough came when Ms Vickers learned that pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk was launching an oral version of its Wegovy medication in the United States. The pill offered the same active ingredient but at a substantially lower price point of $149 (£108) for a 30-day supply.
'As soon as I heard Wegovy was coming out with a pill, I saw my doctor, who gave me a prescription for it,' she recounted. After an initial visit where her local pharmacy had sold out, she returned days later to secure her supply.
Rapid Impact on 'Food Noise'
The effects of the medication were noticeable quickly. 'At day five of taking the pills, it shut out food noise completely,' Ms Vickers reported. For someone who worked from home and previously struggled with constant snacking, this change was transformative.
'I am not snacking as much as I used to; hours could pass by, and I won't even think of food,' she said. 'Since starting the pills, I have been so blessed. It has completely cut out all the food noise for me. I am just not thinking about food anymore.'
Breaking the Plateau and Future Considerations
Starting the Wegovy pill at 13 stone 6 pounds (188lbs/85.3kg), Ms Vickers has already seen the scale move, losing 2 pounds and breaking through her stubborn weight stall. Her goal is to reach 12 stone 2 pounds (170lbs/77.1kg). She reports no side effects, maintains daily workouts, and feels increased energy levels.
Initially planning a two-to-three month course, she is now contemplating longer-term use to maintain her results. 'I am also starting to think ahead of schedule, because what happens when I am off? Does the food noise come back?' she pondered. 'If the price is still affordable and the food noise returns, I might decide to keep taking the pills to maintain my weight.'
Market Launch and UK Prospects
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill launched in the US on January 5, 2026, and saw significant uptake, with over 26,000 prescriptions filled in its second full week according to IQVIA data. The medication is distinct from Ozempic, as it was specifically developed and approved for chronic weight management.
Clinical trials involving approximately 1,300 participants demonstrated substantial efficacy, with individuals losing an average of 16.6% of their body weight after just over a year. Around one-third of participants achieved weight loss of 20% or more.
Regarding availability in the United Kingdom, a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk UK confirmed the company is working towards a regulatory submission for the Wegovy pill in 2026, though further timeline details were not yet available. This development could offer a new, potentially more accessible option for individuals in the UK seeking pharmacological support for weight management.
