Current Weight: 126kg (-4kg from start)
Energy Level: 8/10
Hunger Level: 4/10 (appetite returning slightly)
Today: Day 10, second dose week
Why I’m Sharing the Numbers
After a week of real results, I want to be transparent about costs. This is information I wish I’d found when researching Mounjaro - real numbers from someone actually using it in Spain.
First and most important advice: DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE. I don’t care how many family members tell you “just go to this pharmacy” or “use this website for a prescription.” Go to a real doctor. Get properly examined. Ask questions. Get answers.
Finding the Right Doctor in Spain
I live in Spain as a resident with private insurance. Even with private coverage, getting an endocrinologist appointment was challenging. Why an endocrinologist specifically? They specialize in hormones, nutrition, and weight management - exactly what you need for GLP-1 medications.
My local options in Torrent (Valencia community) had no availability. Calling around Valencia city, I was quoted October appointments (this was late August).
Then I got creative: I used ChatGPT in agent mode to scan online appointment systems. It found a cancellation at Quirón Salud Valencia - their obesity unit had a slot that opened up just two days out.
The Medical Consultation
The endocrinologist was thorough and professional. I was upfront: “I want to use Mounjaro (tirzepatide) but I don’t want to self-medicate.”
She tested my knowledge of GLP-1s - basically how they work (accelerate metabolism, reduce anxiety-driven hunger, regulate blood sugar, originally developed for Type 2 diabetes). I mentioned my previous weight loss attempt last year with a nutritionist, psychologist, and strict training plan. I lost 20kg but couldn’t maintain it, especially after my divorce and move to Spain.
Being alone makes staying focused much harder than having a support system.
The Prescription Strategy
She prescribed the 10mg pen with 15 clicks, which translates to:
- Weeks 1-4: 2.5mg weekly (10 clicks total)
- Weeks 5+: 5mg weekly (remaining 5 clicks)
Here’s the cost optimization:
5mg pen: ~278 euros (4 doses of 2.5mg = 6 weeks total) 10mg pen: ~340-360 euros (covers 2.5 months)
Cost per week:
- 5mg pen: 46 euros/week
- 10mg pen: 36 euros/week
The 10mg pen gives you almost 10 euros weekly savings and an extra month of treatment.
Storage and Travel Considerations
The medication must stay refrigerated. Eli Lilly says it can survive up to 21 days under 31°C if needed, but I’m not risking it. I have trips planned to Colombia and Venezuela, so I’m researching portable coolers for air travel.
I’ll probably buy a new pen before traveling to avoid any cold chain breaks.
My Personal Food Cost Comparison
This might sound excessive for Spain, but I was spending 400-500 euros monthly on groceries. Not restaurants - home cooking. I eat a lot of protein and what some might call “delicacies”: aged cheeses, serrano ham, charcuterie boards, black olives, dairy products. These were my main snacks and they’re expensive.
Current food costs with KnowEats: ~70 euros weekly = ~300 euros monthly
The ~200 euro monthly food savings partially offsets the medication cost. Not 100%, but it helps significantly.
Treatment Timeline and Goals
Planning to use this for at least 6 months, possibly up to a year. The medication is still relatively new internationally, so long-term usage data is limited.
My milestone goals:
- 120kg: Should hit this by November (10kg loss)
- 110kg: The goal I couldn’t reach last year when I got to 117kg
- 90kg: Ultimate target weight
The endocrinologist mentioned maintenance doses once I reach my ideal weight.
Week 2 Reality Check
Today I weigh 126kg - another 300g down from yesterday. The appetite is returning slightly compared to the first week, which might be psychological or the medication naturally wearing off between doses.
I can now comfortably eat two full meals daily, aiming for 1,200-1,500 calories. I don’t want to become malnourished - the goal is sustainable fat loss, not crash dieting.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Monthly breakdown:
- Medication: ~150 euros (averaged over 2.5 months)
- Food savings: ~200 euros
- Net cost: Actually saving ~50 euros monthly
Plus gym membership I was already paying.
For context: this is cheaper than the nutritionist + psychologist combination I used last year, with better results so far.
The Bottom Line
Mounjaro isn’t cheap, but it’s not as expensive as it initially appears when you factor in reduced food costs and compare it to other weight loss interventions.
Most importantly: the mental relief from constant food obsession? That’s priceless.
Transparency matters. These are my real costs in Spain, September 2024. Your situation may vary, but at least now you have actual numbers to work with.