To think I should be allowed weight loss injections?

[Chalk111111]

Firstly, I think it’s a great thing that people are able to use this medication to gain control over their weight, and I think the bar set for getting them on the NHS is ridiculously high and it should be given to anyone who is obese. All those years people spent banging on about how much obesity was pressuring the NHS and then when we’re given a medication to tackle it they don’t make it available!

So I’m not confused about why I can’t get it on the NHS - I shouldn’t be able to - but why can’t I pay for it?

My BMI is 24 and I’d like to shift a stone and a half/two stone. I’ve fluctuated between this weight and a stone lighter for about ten years. I used to be able to shift half a stone at least but this time I’m really struggling.

I keep getting adverts about weight loss injections so I thought I’d have a look. Filled in the questionnaire and it says my BMI isn’t high enough for a prescription? But surely if my starting BMI was, say 35, I’d be allowed to stay on them until my BMI was 21/22, which is what I’d like? So why can’t I pay for them to lose a couple of stone?

I get why you're frustrated OP, but this is how prescription medication works, even when paying privately, paying does not mean you just get what you want.

Think of it like any other treatment: acne medication has severe side effects so you would not be prescribed it if you had one or two spots.

Strong painkillers can cause long term damage and dependence so you would not be prescribed it for a stubbed toe.

I wonder if we'll ever be able to have a thread on Mumsnet about WLI where a) the Op is actually read before responding to it and b) there's no scare mongering just for the sake it 🤔

a lot of worrying misinformation in this thread, so let’s stick to the facts…

Pancreatitis is a known side effect of Mounjaro, but it’s classified as uncommon — roughly 1 in 100 users, according to the MHRA and The Guardian. There’s no evidence that being at a healthy BMI increases your risk. That claim simply isn’t supported by data.

Saying it “ruins your pancreas if you’re not obese” is not only incorrect, it’s also irresponsible. Like any medication, the risks depend on individual factors things like gallstone history, alcohol use, or rapid weight loss without proper support. That’s why it’s monitored. But starting with a lower BMI isn’t inherently dangerous.

As for muscle and bone loss: that can happen when people under-eat, skip protein, or don’t train properly. I eat over 90g of protein daily and lift weights regularly to protect muscle loss.

I began Mounjaro at a higher BMI and have now reached a healthy weight. Continuing under careful monitoring isn’t about vanity — it’s about long-term stability. Weight loss isn’t just about willpower or eating less. For many of us, it’s about finally finding freedom from constant mental and physical struggle around food.

You don’t have to agree with using it at a healthy BMI. But please don’t spread fear or shame toward those of us using it responsibly and with life-changing results.

These injections are not a magic wand.

Most people will put back on most of the weight they lost once and some will even put on more weight which is being seen more regularly.

Even actual surgical procedures where most of your stomach is removed is not a magic wand and many people put the weight back on after that and so of course they will with an injection.

There can also be very dangerous side effects.

For someone who is morbidly obese, they are going to have a range of other health issues and so getting their weight down and being able to exercise more or reduce other medications etc is going to outweigh the potential side effects.

If someone is 30stone and they get down to 15stone but then they go back up to 20/25stone, they will still be obese but they will still be healthier than when they were 30stone.

If you only have a couple of stone to lose then you will be more successful in the long run by NOT taking these injections.
You would be throwing your money away, fucking up your metabolism, probably regain all of the weight back and risking side effects for nothing.
It would be pointless.

And do you have evidence that this is all the case. Ie that a person with a reasonable bmi will suffer all these long term side effects?

They do seem strict about the rules about BMI both private and NHS. But how are celebs that are clearly under the BMI rules...people like Katie Price and all the other celebs taking it getting hold of it?

24 is a Healthy bmi to start off with so course will be refused

You don’t meet the criteria for prescribing it. All drugs have criteria. You cannot get it in the UK

That people like you are happy to laugh at such a bullying comment. I also get where OP is coming from, if it’s not licensed below 27 that should be the cutoff for EVERYONE. @Chalk111111you have taken the sneering and putdowns very graciously

Exactly.

Entitled much, instead of whining about a fabulous BMI. You haven’t looked at the reason why it’s not that great. BMI of 37 here, wouldn’t touch them if you paid me.

This medication was actually created for those with diabetes so imagine it was still used just for that.

Do you think people without diabetes should take it because they can sometimes have high/low blood sugar levels or do you think they should manage those levels with their diet and exercise?

Do you think the diabetic people only get prescribed it when they need it or do you think that they have it long term?

For normal diabetic medication, if you are not diabetic you will not be prescribed the medication because it would not be worth the side effects or would be pointless.

But if you are diabetic then you would likely be prescribed the medication long term, even if your numbers were good for a long time.
It would only be weight related diabetes that would see people actually removed off the medication.

It’s like any medication.
If you have a disease then you take medication, either short or long term.
If you do not have a disease you wouldn’t take it.
Obesity is a disease.

Finally someone with a reasoned, evidence backed, polite reply. Not just ‘because we said so you thick lazy bint who Cba going on a diet’

I understand your reasoning OP. But the jabs aren't "safe", they are just safer for your health than being obese. Since you're not..

Privately, it’s easy to obtain if you mislead your healthcare provider. I know a number of people below 35 BMI who take it. It’s wrong, but it’s surprisingly easy.
The issue is, when these people take it (or fakes) and get ill - the headlines are that GLP1 medicines made them that way. When in reality they ought never to have been on it in the first place.

You don't even have an overweight BMI let alone obese! Just count calories and exercise more.

It’s not my fault op can’t understand all the answers that were provided. If I was kicking off about not being able to get a drug, I at least would have done my research beforehand instead of being rude to those that had replied. Quite embarrassing behaviour to be honest, that’s why people are laughing. But like op, you obviously can’t understand why it’s not prescribed for people with a lower BMI.

Ridiculous advice! This advice actually works better for someone who is obese rather than someone who has a little to lose!

Are you as stupid as you sound? Your BMI in the healthy range, and by taking MJ you could actually make yourself very unwell! If you want to loose a stone, join a gym and calorie count! Stop being so entitled!

Is everyone going to end up on WLI then even if they have a healthy BMI and fancy being in a smaller dress size 🤔
Surely that really wouldn't be OK but perhaps that is the future
.

I think people get pancreatitis when they lose weight too quickly.

They have risks and side effects which balance out of you are obese but not if you are not.

@toodledo- I concur with everything you say. Having been obese or yo-yo-ing for almost all of my 50 years, it’s been the best thing to ever happen to me for my health.

Mounjaro stimulates the production of insulin and increases sensitivity to the insulin produced, so for T1 diabetics who are taking insulin it puts you at high risk of extreme blood sugar lows.

I’m T2 and at the point I was prescribed Mounjaro I was taking Insulin and Metformin and sugars were still high, rarely in the normal range, within 2 weeks of starting MJ I had to stop taking the insulin because my sugars were going low.

I haven’t RTFT but it seems like it’s mostly a pile on to tell you why you can’t have it @Chalk111111 . The reality is though that you can.

This article is behind a paywall https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-times-magazine/article/ozempic-microdosing-weight-loss-before-after-7kfpm8g38 but worth a read if you can.

Harriet Walker the Times journalist found a doctor who would prescribe a short course of a microdose of mounjaro to help shift a stubborn stone. It worked, 6 months in she’s kept if off and the whole experience seemed pretty positive. According to a wealthy friend in London who mixes in these circles, the constant chat is who’s taking WLI as certain people shrink rapidly!

Anyway - this sparked me to do some research. I’m similar to you in that my BMI was getting close to 25 and in fact had been since I had my last child at 41. I’d been a slim 9.5 stone all my life until I got prgegnt, lost the baby at 4 months then got pregnant again 3 months later, all in my 40s. Carrying an extra stone made me look really fat - all around my belly and thighs - I have a small frame and I don’t look thin until I’m 8.5 stone. I was not really gaining further weight - I can eat well for maintenance and I’m an active and busy mum, working full time - but I couldn’t cut my calories to the 1200 or so needed to in order to sustain weight loss. I also have a terrible sugar addiction and that’s hard to break when you’re knackered and busy.

I managed to find a prescriber who would give it to me. They required a photo, and I sent a terrible one of me in shorts and a bra. Belly fat visible. They agreed to prescribe off license - they agreed it would help my weight loss journey. From my perspective it seems like the ideal solution to kick start my weight loss. My weight gain was caused by an event (well two back to back pregnancies one of which was a really difficult loss) so I feel confident that my day to day habits are good enough to keep the weight off.

I’m just over a week and two jabs in. Minimal side effects - tiredness mainly, but of nausea, some appetite suppression but not insanely so, still eating very healthy meals but less and less snacking too. Mega thirst which I think is helping me to drink much more water - something I was always bad at.

I feel good, and I’ve lost around 4lb week one.- aiming for another stone from here and to hopefully do no more than three months on WLI.