NurseLeah_Nash said:

When to call your doctor about mental health side effects — a reference I wish I'd had: Call immediately: Severe abdominal pain (could be…

Mine went the same way, slower.

DanielChem_CHI said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (292 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

Body image adjustment with mental health: I've lost 86 lbs but when I look in the mirror, I still see my old self sometimes. "Phantom fat" is a real phenomenon.

My therapist specializes in body image issues with weight loss patients. She says it can take 12-18 months for your brain's body map to update. In the meantime: take progress photos (your eyes lie but cameras don't), try on old clothes, and be patient with yourself.

DanielChem_CHI said:

Before/after narrative for mental health — one year in: Before (292 lbs): Winded climbing stairs, chronic back pain, pre-diabetic, on 3 medications,…

One year anniversary on mental health — reflections:

What I wish I'd known: the side effects are temporary, the benefits compound over time, protein is more important than I thought, and the mental health aspect needs as much attention as the physical.

What surprised me: how much my relationship with food changed, the cascade of health improvements beyond weight, and how supportive this community is.

What I'd do differently: start therapy earlier, prioritize resistance training from day 1, and stop comparing my progress to others. Everyone's journey is unique.

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Was that from a primary source or from a summary of one?

Moderator note: leaving this open. It is being argued well and the disagreement is the useful part. Carry on.