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Should I start with stacking or just Reta for weight loss?

6 replies4 peopleJan 9, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Should I start with retatrutide alone or stack it with other peptides like tesamorelin for weight loss from around 290 to 200 lbs?

Users report strong results running Reta solo for months while maintaining protein intake and training, with one dropping from 285 to 200 lbs over a year. Several add mitochondrial peptides such as NAD+, SS-31 and MOTS-C for energy and recovery, then layer Tesa/Ipa near goal weight to target visceral fat. GHK-cu is mentioned for possible skin tightening, though slow loss rate is seen as the main factor. Hunger from certain GHRPs is noted as manageable or avoidable by switching stacks.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether to add any peptides immediately or wait one month per compound to assess effects individually

Still open

How effective GHK-cu actually is for preventing loose skin versus simply losing weight slowly

Nothing here is advice.

6 replies · 4 people
SlowKettle11archiveopening postJan 9

I'm focused on dropping weight and not too concerned about losing some muscle along the way. I'll stay hydrated, keep protein high to help hold onto muscle, and continue working out five days a week. Considering Reta plus Tesa, though I've seen comments that Tesa can raise appetite while Reta might offset that for some people. Sitting at about 290 pounds and aiming for 210 or 200. What stacks are others running with Reta when the main goal is weight and fat loss? Any other peptides that pair well with it?

NorthAnchor41archiveJan 9
↳ replying to @SlowKettle11 (opening post)

I would run Reta by itself until closer to goal weight, then add a tesa/ipamorelin stack for visceral fat. Might want to get a dexa scan or whole body mri afterward to check body composition. You could decide to layer other peptides while on Reta for reasons besides weight loss, but I prefer giving each one a full month before adding anything new so the effects are clearer.

SlowKettle11archiveJan 9
↳ replying to @NorthAnchor41

Thanks for the reply. Are there any peptides that help tighten skin to limit loose skin, or does that mainly depend on how quickly the weight comes off?

NorthAnchor41archiveJan 9
↳ replying to @SlowKettle11

GHK-cu is said to help tighten skin, available as topical or injectable, though it's unclear if one works better or if there's preventive value. The best approach, as you mentioned, remains avoiding weight loss faster than your skin can adapt.

SteadyAlder49archiveJan 9

Reta by itself should deliver solid results for quite a while. My own path started with just reta for a month or two, then added the mitochondrial health protocol with NAD+, SS-31, and MOTS-C because I wanted a full reset after years of being unhealthy. Felt much better after that. Later added cycling 5-amino-1mq for both cellular health and extra weight loss help. Now cycling tesa/ipa alongside reta and like the combination, especially for visceral fat. The tesa/ipa also improved sleep, which lowered cortisol and inflammation and supported more fat burn and muscle gain. Dropped 90 pounds total in 2025 from 300 down to 210, while eating well and training four to six days a week. Current goal is under 15 percent body fat before a clean bulk.

BlueBeacon12archiveJan 11
↳ replying to @NorthAnchor41

Been on a Reta plus GHRP-2/Sermorelin stack for a few weeks and notice hunger spikes right after the GHRP-2 dose. Manageable so far, but thinking about switching to Tesa/Ipa instead to lessen that side effect. Any thoughts on how the hunger impact compares between the two stacks?

NorthAnchor41archiveJan 12
↳ replying to @BlueBeacon12

GHRP-2 acts as a ghrelin agonist and can drive significant hunger. Tesamorelin has low to moderate hunger effects while Ipamorelin has minimal impact.

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