So yes. Potentially six to eight straight weeks of grey root buildup and a growing zebra stripe down the middle of your head.

To be extra safe, because I am wildly paranoid and wanted to risk absolutely nothing, I stopped coloring my hair two weeks before surgery and waited a full eight weeks post-op to start again. Ten straight weeks of grey roots was in stark contrast to my freshly lifted face. Thank God for chic vintage headscarves, Yankee baseball caps, and a great (yet gentle) root touch-up product.

During this incredibly glamorous chapter of my life (photos follow down below), I became mildly psychotic about finding a good root cover product and basically ordered every option I could find.

Prior to surgery, I had been using the Oribe root touch up spray that everyone loves and recommends. Walk into any beauty store and it’s treated like a root touch-up gift from God. I genuinely do not understand the hype. It only comes in two shades, and I personally find aerosol root sprays messy, inaccurate, and annoying to apply. Rita Hazan’s root touch-up spray is also a cult favorite, and I feel exactly the same way about that one too. No bueno.

I wanted something gentle, easy to control, and honestly something that matched my roots better. More importantly, I wanted something I could apply with precision around my incision lines without feeling like I was spray painting my scalp.

Then I found the holy grail. And what I find especially interesting is that after trying roughly ten different products, this one was on absolutely nobody’s “best of” lists. InStyle recently “tested” root cover products and somehow this wasn’t included anywhere. I suspect because it doesn’t advertise with them? This exact dynamic is exactly why traditional beauty media is slowly dying. Anyway. I digress.

Then I came across this incredibly magical little product. And yes, post-op photos ahead.

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I wear that badge proudly.

Could I have used the $5K on more treatments instead? Sure. But instead, I spent it working up enough courage to go under the knife and making sure I was making the right decision. And honestly? I learned a lot.

Is it moderately borderline psychopathic? Maybe.

I am an obsessive researcher by nature. On everything. Maybe that comes from my former life as a top-ranked Wall Street analyst at JPMorgan, where my entire job was essentially deep research and trying to avoid very, very expensive mistakes on the order of tens of millions everyday. Or maybe it came from the sheer anxiety of making a permanent decision about my face. Likely both.

Either way, I went D-E-E-P.

And judging by the volume of emails, DMs, and group chats, many of you are in deep as well. What started as me casually sharing my own experience somehow turned into a full-blown facelift thread. Many women I know are facelift-curious and overwhelmed. They don’t know how to choose a surgeon. They don’t know what questions to ask. And perhaps most importantly, they don’t know how much of what they are seeing online is real. In my humble opinion, so much of it is sugar coated and wildly misleading.

So, after an almost absurd number of consults, countless hours of research, and now having actually gone through the surgery and recovery myself, I wanted to start packaging some of this information together in a more useful way.

After seeing 11 surgeons in person, plus two international consults, the biggest takeaway is this: there are a lot of great doctors at all price points, and many have completely different opinions. You could meet ten “top” surgeons and get many different recommendations, plans, and vibes. The challenge isn’t just finding a good doctor. It’s finding the one who understands your goals, your psychology, your tolerance for the process, all within the budget that you think is appropriate to spend.

Choosing someone to operate on your face is terrifying as is paying the bill in full. Ouch. The price of a facelift seems to be going up rapidly. Some of the doctors I consulted with only 6 months ago are now double in price. All that said, I could not be happier to be on the other side of it. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

There is so, so much information I want to share from these consults that it simply doesn’t fit cleanly into Substack articles. And more importantly, a lot of what I learned isn’t really written anywhere. I went into the dark depths of Instagram and YouTube, and I genuinely feel like I have a different perspective and value add than what is currently out there.

I am hoping to package up this information in a useful way. For my inaugural guide, I teamed up with my girlfriend Emily Wagner of GroomedLA was also having one. Literally the same week.

She’s also a-New Yorker that relocated to Los Angeles, which is probably why we get along. We chose two completely different surgeons, and we are both ecstatic with our results. We also chose very different recovery paths. I went full rest-and-Valium mode. Emily went full hyperbaric chamber and every recovery extra imaginable. I’m 48 and Emily is 60. She also felt like she had too much information not to share.

Because both of us were getting bombarded with questions, we decided to move forward with this collaborative content initiative aptly called The Girlfriend Guides, co-authored by both of us and includes everything we learned from the consult process.

These are practical, no bullshit, fully transparent guides designed to save you time, money, stress, and hopefully a few emotional spirals. If you like them, more to come…

These are not medical guides. And they are definitely not “best doctors” lists. They are practical guides about choosing a doctor, navigating consults, managing expectations, and understanding the emotional and psychological side of all of this.

So if you do purchase a guide, let me know what you think! Now, because so many of you have asked, here is the full list of surgeons I consulted with. You already know about Dr. Ben Talei and Dr. Steven Levine, and that I ultimately chose Dr. Mark Murphy to perform my surgery. Below is the full rundown. All excellent doctors at the top of their game. And if you have questions, leave them in the comments, DM me, or email me.

The Consults

I started with

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During the April 29 episode (my first time watching this podcast… and wow, tough viewing), in a very orchestrated interview, the mighty momager made it very clear she loves her $400,000 facelift and her surgeon.

I watched the whole episode so you don’t have to, because it will actively lower your IQ. And after having a facelift 12 weeks ago, I feel very qualified to weigh in. My group chats and DMs have been blowing up with “what do you think of this?” so this felt worth breaking down.

I believe a large part of this facelift media circus is the swelling honeymoon period (which I’ll break down day by day below after just going through it myself), but let’s not pretend Photoshop, Facetune, and ring lights aren’t doing a massive amount of heavy lifting here.

In my former life, I also had an intimate dinner with Kim Kardashian and saw firsthand the lighting, media, and Photoshop circus likely contributing to all of this.

I have thoughts. Many of them.

But Before We Start, Kris’ Facelift Is Great

Before I dive into the swelling honeymoon period, lighting, and everything else, I want to say this clearly: for anyone, and especially surgeons on Instagram claiming her facelift is “slipping” and publicly critiquing the technique, that is wildly unprofessional and should be taken with a huge grain of salt.

If you are following, consulting with, or considering surgery with someone posting videos breaking down why Kris Jenner’s facelift is “bad,” I would seriously reconsider. No reputable, high quality surgeon would do this. That is not expertise. That is marketing. And not the good kind.

Kris Jenner looks amazing. I wrote about it. It’s gorgeous. It’s a great facelift. And while I personally didn’t have a great consult with that doctor, there is no doubt his work is great.

Ok. Let’s keep going.

Photoshop, lighting, etc.

I’m honestly confused why more people aren’t talking about this and just discussing the facelift technique? Are we not all smarter than this by now?

So, if you watch Kris Jenner’s facelift defense episode, the podcast is almost unwatchably contrived. The commentary feels “creatively innocent” as she talks about “minding my own business” while attending Lauren Sánchez’s party. Poor Kris was dragged into a facelift media storm.

I am absolutely sure Lauren Sánchez’s parties are famously private among celebrity circles. Completely devoid of photographers, special lighting, and photo editors. That is obviously why Kris went. The first “viral” photos came out of that event, and those same images are now being treated as the final result.

Not only was Kris’s face still likely in the early healing stages, where even light swelling can make your face look unusually smooth and lineless, but are we also meant to believe her team did not edit those images within an inch of their lives? The idea that these photos are organic and untouched is about as believable as saying Bradley Cooper didn’t get an upper bleph or that Demi Moore never had a facelift.

If you do decide to watch this mind-numbing episode, fast forward to around the 21 minute mark. Kris very sweetly explains this sticky situation that brought unwanted attention to her facelift. It’s semi hilarious to watch these words come from the momager of a family whose entire existence is being photographed, filmed, edited, and distributed globally. Their literal business model is being seen, filmed, lit, posted, and analyzed. And now we are pretending post-facelift photos from a major event just… appeared? That she was somehow swept up in it all?

My take? Kris was likely in that post-facelift high, loved how she looked (I get it, it’s intoxicating), and wanted those photos—**which were also clearly edited—**out immediately. I actually briefly touch upon this dynamic in the Facelift Consult Guide when looking at before and after images.

I have sat at an intimate birthday dinner with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West about eight-ish years ago. This was not a press event. A real dinner with real friends. And even there, the photos went from phone to editor before they were ever posted. No raw image. Ever. I am always surprised how many people still think “candid” means unedited. It doesn’t.

I now live half the year in Australia, which I can confidently say is the influencer and fake lighting capital of the world. Until I lived here, I did not fully appreciate how manipulated images are. Now I see people in person all the time and think, this is not how you look in real life. Influencers carry ring lights around like their Rhode Lip Tint. It’s always in their purse. I am not kidding.

You know what I would actually love? If Kris Jenner posted real before and after medical photos the way Denise Richards did. That would be honesty. What we’re seeing now is not honesty. It’s presentation. And, quite honestly, a little bit of gaslighting powered by image manipulation and the internet happily eating it up.

Now, let’s move on to more highbrow topics: the swelling honeymoon period and how to actually align your aesthetic with your doctor.

The Honeymoon Swelling Period

What you are likely seeing is absolutely not a failed facelift. It is healing. It is settling. It is the slow exit from what I call, and what many doctors call, the swelling honeymoon period — aka what I fondly refer to as the “I look 19 again” phase.

Yes, there is a brutal phase right after surgery where you look completely insane.

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I certainly did not think I’d ever be someone seriously considering a facelift. That was for other people. Richer people. …

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This new era of celebrities actually admitting what they’ve done feels… refreshing. Long overdue, frankly. More of that, please. Maybe Demi Moore will finally come clean? Please Demi. I implore you.

What makes Denise Richard’s facelift story even more interesting for me is that I recently sat in a consult with her surgeon. And I learned so much.

YES, I SAT IN HIS CHAIR

I actually had a consult with Dr. Ben Talei late last year when I was deciding who to use for my own facelift.

I can truly honestly say that Dr. Ben Talei was one of the best consults I had (and remember I had 12 of them). I also say that having met with some very expensive, very well-known celebrity doctors, including Kris Jenner’s surgeon.

The experience is not always what you would expect. I personally expect a lot. When you are paying $500 or more for a consult and they are expecting you to pay potentially hundreds of thousands for surgery. I want a deep dive. I assume you are getting a deep, thoughtful analysis of your face. That is not always the case.

Before I even stepped into Dr. Talei’s office, his team asked me to submit not just current photos of every angle, but photos of my younger self. That alone told me a lot about how he thinks.

I DID MY HOMEWORK (OBSESSIVELY)

During my facelift journey, I consulted with 12 surgeons. Yes, 12. Across New York, Beverly Hills, Palm Beach, Dallas, and even South Korea. Many readers have been asking me to put together a pros and cons list of all. It’s a great idea. If you have specific questions or requests, leave them in the comments or email me.

Photos, details, all the juicy stuff. It’s coming. Soon I’ll be sharing my pre-facelift nutrition protocol that the wonderful Jennifer Hanway walked me through.

But given all the conversation around Denise’s result, I wanted to add some real, firsthand perspective from my consult with her surgeon.

Also, I’ll admit it, I love chiming in on celebrity gossip… especially when I actually have something useful to say.

THE CONSULT

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I am taking a quick break from facelift content and celebrity chatter for a quick and unglamorous non-luxury product tip.

I’ve tried every lip product from the iconic (but honestly kind of foul-smelling) Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream my mother used, the standard Aquaphor tube that every dermatologist on planet earth recommends, to Glossier Balm Dot Com (I remain completely baffled why everyone likes this?) In addition to every lip balm I have tried every lip scrub from La Mer to Tatcha.

And the BEST product, while not glamorous and with objectively ugly packaging, that works absolute magic on lips: baby diaper rash cream. Otherwise known as panthenol, or provitamin B5. I purchased it on Amazon for $16 and use a tiny amount at night before bed.

I originally bought it during this past brutal New York winter while I was upstate recovering from my facelift. There were lots of long walks in the cold, very dry air, and my lips were wrecked. Luckily my jawline was looking snatched. More on that to come.

The “celebrity cult product” commonly associated with the ingredient panthenol is

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Something strange has happened in the last 6 months sinc…

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This is the longest my face has gone without “assistance” since I was 30 years old. That’s when I first started getting light botox to prevent crow’s feet. At the time my then husband forbade it. I went anyway and h…

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The story …

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Personally, I love Tom Ford glasses and sunglasses. They’re quiet-luxury perfection. Minimal to no logos, just that sleek gold “T.” I can’t stand giant logos screaming down the side of someone’s frames. Unless they’re vintage and iconic, oversized branding is a no for me.

And since I’ve been on a Botox break while I wait for my facelift in 2026, I’ve been buying more and more sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses — my current form of camouflage.

Recently, I discovered a website where I’ve been scoring authentic Tom Ford glasses for nearly 50% off. Friends have snagged Prada frames for similar deals.

This is my two-minute share below.

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But in the middle of all that? I’ve been neglecting other deep beauty + wellness rabbit holes my readers enjoy: Ozempic.

This past week Chrissy Teigen came out saying she used Ozempic for 40 lbs of weight loss. First of all, thank you so much for the transparency. Hooray! After one year of usage she was able to shed the baby weight that she just couldn’t budge.

Now, Vogue says everyone is secretly microdosing Ozempic. And I sort of have to agree. A few months ago I wrote with Jennifer Hanway about a “natural girl’s Ozempic stack.” I did start taking some of the supplements she suggested — and yes, they help. Especially the Berberine.

But here’s my dirty secret and honest reveal: I tried the real thing. For just one week. And it was glorious. Natural support is nice. But let’s be honest right? Nothing works like the real jab.

In my last trip back home to New York I was looking around and honestly, everyone I know seemed smaller. And they ordered less at dinner. Everyone just looked… so much thinner. I won’t lie - I was jealous.

But here’s the thing. I don’t want to microdose Ozempic. Vogue wrote about a staffer who microdoses every two weeks to control her binge eating. I feel like — well, if you want my honest opinion — I don’t want to use that as my crutch. I don’t want to be on yet another something-or-other. And I do read so much differing information on Ozempic that I’m pretty scared to build it into my regular life.

As I head into my late 40s, weight gain has become a constant topic among my friends. It’s not baby weight anymore — it’s midlife pounds, usually 5 to 15, though some more, some less. Either way, we’re all struggling to get it off.

Here’s my hot take: microdosing isn’t it — at least not for me. “Quick hitting” for a week was the real game-changer. Forget the slow drip; I’m talking one sharp reset and then move on with your life. And yes, every nutritionist and medical professional is probably rolling their eyes, clutching pearls at the idea of a “quick fix.” But here’s the truth: I dropped 4 pounds in 2 weeks, reset my eating for a week or two, and finally admitted what I didn’t want to hear — my metabolism has slowed, and I just need to eat less. Midlife metabolism is rude, but at least this gave me the reset to deal with it.

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or nutritionist. I’m just a girl with a substack who’s curious (and sometimes reckless) enough to test-drive these things and tell you the truth. This isn’t medical advice — just my personal, one-week Ozempic experiment.

In this article, I want to cover exactly how this one week dose hit me, how it let me kickstart my larger weight-loss goals, my deep dive into peptides in general, and the big question: how is everyone getting their hands on this? It’s complex. And there is a huge grey market.

I’ll explain each one of these in detail below.

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Here’s the thing: there are excellent surgeons who deliver natural, gorgeous results without the Hamptons price tag. The trick is separating hype-driven “celebrity doctors” from the quietly brilliant surgeons doing the work at mortal-friendly prices.

Why Did Prices Skyrocket?

A perfect storm: supply and demand, celebrity marketing, and surgeons realizing people will pay anything not to look like Real Housewives Season 3. Add in fewer people patching with filler-only band-aids, and surgery came roaring back. Surgeons know it. Prices ballooned.

The Sticker Shock Reality

In my facelift research this past year, I can tell you: fees are high. Like, “choke on your green juice” high. The fancy Park Ave surgeons? They’re starting at $125K - and that’s just the facelift. That doesn’t include the brow lift, the bleph, or the add-ons that magically appear on the menu. Those “little extras” can double your bill.

But here’s the good news: yes, you can absolutely get a facelift (with extras) under $100K. And no, you don’t have to hop a flight to Turkey, Guadalajara, or Korea. Though plenty of women do.

Michelle Wood’s viral video of her facelift in Guadalajara made her surgeon, Dr. Maribel Belmontes Castillo, so in-demand she now has a 10-month waitlist. My friend Emily Wagner of GroomedLA is even doing an IG Live with her next week. Make sure to tune in to her instagram live.

Turkey is another hot spot. I reached out to Dr. Soner Karaali after seeing some of his jaw-dropping transformations on Instagram, specifically this one. I sent in photos and the doctor recommended a deep plane facelift, necklift, eyebrow lift, upper bleph, lip lift and fat transfer. The total price was quoted at 12,000 euros. I asked if I could do an in person meeting either over zoom or even in person in Turkey before committing to surgery. I was told that this was very unusual. They would get back to me with time slots. I never heard back. I was told surgery with him is booking until March 2026. Language barriers, lack of follow-ups, and my general fears ruled it out for me personally.

The Transparency Gap

Here’s the thing: there are incredible surgeons all over the U.S. — they just might not have the PR machine behind them. Finding them, though? That’s the challenge.

Not everyone can book a meeting with Melinda the Beauty Broker — and honestly, what she does is amazing. She’s built a one-of-a-kind service connecting women to some of the most sought-after surgeons, and her clients rave about her. She’s the gold standard if you want highly curated introductions.

But the reality is, it’s pricey, the wait is long, and it underscores how non-transparent this whole industry is. Not everyone wants to pay $1,250 for a 45 minute consult to then be told what doctor to pay for a consult. Also - if you want to jump the line and now join a very long waitlist, the price is $2,500 for the consult. And again, this is all using zoom.

Even with a beauty broker, most of us are still left wondering: why isn’t there a clearer map of surgeons, specialties, and price ranges? That’s the gap I’m trying to explore - for women who want more accessible intel. It’s minefield out there.

The great thing is that more and more women are admitting to their surgeries. A great first step. But it’s still few and far between.

Why Listen to Me? Or Maybe Don’t Listen?

Quick disclaimer: I’m not a beauty editor. Never wrote for a glossy, never kissed PR ass, never cared about comps. I’m not a doctor. I never worked in a doctor’s office. I am not a nurse. I have no medical background whatsoever.

I started Charlotte’s Book a decade ago because I was sick of the same regurgitated, highbrow “tips” that told me - again - to check credentials or look at before-and-afters. No sh*t. And I was tired of reading about the same 15 surgeons and dermatologists editors name-drop over and over. Surely there are more?

I was also annoyed listening and reading articles from women who were so much younger than me. I wanted the real intel: what people are actually paying, who’s worth it, what sucked, what worked. And because I don’t rely on advertisers or magazine gigs (I could care less if Allure or Town & Country ever pay me), I can tell you when a consult sucked without worrying if it burns a bridge. This has always been a no-nonsense platform. I’m obsessive about tweakments, aesthetics, and transformation — which can be really powerful.

My 8 Tips for Landing a Great 5-Figure Facelift

1. Call the top doctor’s office — but ask who trains under them.
Can’t afford Dr. David Rosenberg? Maybe you can afford his protégé. Can’t swing Dr. Ben Talei? Maybe one of his associates is your ticket. Surgeons who train under the greats often deliver excellent work at a fraction of the price. But you need to ask. This won’t be offered up.

Want more super valuable advice? Make sure to subscribe to keep reading.

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My journey started last December. A friend of mine recently had her facelift done by Dr. Steven Levine—yes, the very same surgeon Kris Jenner credited with her latest face transformation. He was already well-known in New York’s beauty world, but the Kris reveal launched him into a new stratosphere. My friend raved about her results, and I saw them with my own eyes. So, I booked a consult, along with several other doctors. It was $500 back then, and had my consult with Dr. Levine. This was before the Kris Jenner reveal.

Behind the paywall: the juicy stuff: what he told me, what it’ll cost, what kind of vibe you’re signing up for, and why I really disagree with a few posts I have seen on instagram regarding other visits with Dr. Levine.

But first, a little foreplay…

The Consult

Technically, I first met Dr. Levine about ten years ago at a Hamptons dinner party. We’re the same age—47—and he’s extremely professional. On time. Efficient.

Unlike many surgeons, his office didn’t ask for any photos—no before pics, no reference shots of my younger self, nothing. And none were taken at the appointment either.

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Enter micellar water—a 100+ year-old invention that still beats most modern cleansers. We all know what it is. But I think it’s wildly under-appreciated. It’s so simple. So effective. So cheap. Available everywhere.

Here’s why I’l…

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And yet... if you’re a woman of a certain age, you know exactly where this is going. The “high colonic” scene from L.A. Story (1991) lives rent-free in our collective subconscious: Steve Martin on a date with Sarah Jessica Parker’s rollerblading wellness pixie, SanDeE* (yes, with an asterisk). They don’t go for dinner. They go for a colonic. In Venice Beach. Because... California.

I’ve been colonic-curious for years. Booked an appointment once, then bailed in a panic while practically holding the treatment room door open.

But last week? I finally did it. And friends… wow.

I lost two pounds. My stomach was flat. My digestion? Glorious. I totally get why the Gwyneths and Cindys swear by it now.

So here it is - my full flush report. What it felt like, my step-by-step experience, what to expect during a colonic, and expert answers from the legendary NYC colonic queen herself, Tracy Piper. (Warning: some details are behind the paywall because, well, this story goes very deep and very detailed.)

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We’ve seen good facelifts. We’ve seen bad facelifts. And then there’s whatever wizardry just happened to Kris—a masterclass in restraint, precision, and million-dollar facial architecture. Her jawline? Taut but not tense. Her neck? Smooth but not statue-like. And her eyes? Bright, lifted, and devoid of that telltale “I just saw a ghost and can’t close my eyelids” look.

P.S. Isn’t it adorable how People wants us to believe it’s the bob that’s making Kris Jenner look 30 years younger? Sure. And I guess my jade roller is what’s keeping my jawline snatched, too.

Let’s break down why this facelift is so f*cking great:

1. It’s not too tight.

Going to the right doctor means you don’t look pulled and taut. Kris still looks like herself, just post-8-week-retreat-in-the-Alps-with-an-IV-drip-of-stem-cells better. This is likely a deep plane facelift—the gold standard among top-tier plastic surgeons. It lifts the underlying facial structure, not just the skin, so you get a natural repositioning rather than a skin-stretching horror show. That’s the key here.

“This is not your mama’s mini lift,” says Dr. Ben Talei. He is good friend of the Kardashian clan and although was rumored to be the surgeon for Kris, Page Six is reporting that is Dr. Steven Levine (I actually had a consult with him last year and wrote about it in my last piece). Unlike the more superficial SMAS lift, a deep plane targets the underlying muscles and connective tissue. This gives more natural results. It looks lifted, not yanked up. It repositions, rather than just tightens. In my opinion, these new techniques are why it’s essential to do your homework before going under the knife. Technique, technique, technique is what it’s all about.

2. The neck is flawless.

No rogue platysmal bands, no “turkey wobble,” no obvious scar tucking under the ear. This kind of result typically requires a neck lift with fat sculpting and muscle tightening. Kris Jenner didn’t just get a facelift, she got an aesthetic rebirth.

“A great facelift always includes the neck,” says NYC-based facial plastic surgeon Dara Liotta. A frequent contributor to Charlotte’s Book, telling us Why Less is More and explaining Liquid Rhinoplasty.

3. There’s volume—but not filler face. Fat grafting not filler.

Her cheeks are full but not pillow-y, suggesting fat grafting over filler. This is how you

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If you’re like me, once summer hits, you’re basically surgically attached to your TKEES. Those sleek little sandals are slim, chic, and somehow both casual and c…

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Several women I know are microdosing Ozempic to tackle peri- and menopause weight gain. And they look incredible — like, suspiciously incredible. They’ve confessed it’s been surprisingly easy: appetite gone, discipline unlocked. Meanwhile, my appetite seems to be heading in the opposite direction.

And sure, by normal standards I’m still tiny — but hormonal weight gain has been creeping in like a shady character you’re trying to ghost. I’ve put on a little over the past year, and while I’m curious about Ozempic, I’m also hesitant. Very hesitant.

So before sprinting to a doctor with a “just give me the shot” energy, I asked my friend and nutrition guru Jennifer Hanway for the natural intel. Jennifer is the real deal — one of the few experts I trust (and FYI, anyone I recommend has been vetted by top NYC doctors; I do not do TikTok wellness advice). Jennifer even has a mini-guide called Finally Full: The GLP-1 Fix focused on perimenopause and menopause nutrition.

Jennifer also specializes in women’s nutrition. Are you an Inflammation Isabel, Cortisol Claire, Hormonal Hannah or Menopause Megan? Jennifer can help.

Lucky for me (and now you), she gave me some insights.

First: How Does Ozempic Actually Work?

Ozempic belongs to a category called GLP-1 receptor agonists, and here’s what it does inside your body:

• Regulates appetite: Slows down stomach emptying, so you stay full longer.

• Controls blood sugar: Boosts insulin, lowers glucose.

• Improves metabolism: Helps your body burn energy and store less fat.

In theory: if we can mimic these three effects, we might just hack a little Ozempic magic without a prescription.

I talked to Jennifer about supplements that may help with each of these 3 effects. A.K.A. the Natural Girl’s Ozempic Stack:

1. Appetite Control

• Glucomannan (Konjac Root)
  Jennifer’s words: “Konjac root is a superstar for supporting GLP-1. It forms a thick gel in your gut that keeps you fuller longer.”

  
  My translation: It’s basically a stomach balloon you swallow.

  
  • Slows stomach emptying (Ozempic’s signature move)
  • Helps you eat less without even trying
  • Dose: 1–2 grams before meals (with lots of water)

• Protein, Protein, Protein
  We all know this, but it bears repeating: eat way more protein than you think you need. It keeps you full, stabilizes blood sugar, and basically acts like a bouncer for cravings.

• 5-HTP
  (Not from Jennifer, but my own research deep dive.) 5-HTP may help curb emotional eating by boosting serotonin. Mood: lighter. Cravings: lower.
  • Dose: 50–200 mg per day

2. Blood Sugar Control

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