I cannot get my head around why the GPs are not being encouraged to prescribe the new weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro (MJ) . Instead, this NICE approved medication is only available via the NHS Tier 3 pathway for weight-loss .
I went down this road 4 years ago It is mostly a complete waste of time and smacks of making the 'fat people jump through hoops ' as a punishment for getting in that state to begin with.
Tier 3 for me , consisted of waiting 8 months for the referral appointment, driving an 86 mile round trip to the only hospital in the area with an obesity clinic. (Lucky I drive otherwise it's over 6 hours on the train).
Then being weighed. Then sitting in a 'workshop' where we are given amazing revelations such as (promise this is true) a pork pie has more calories in it than an omelette, that processed sugar laden food is worse for you than salad. That protein keeps you feeling fuller than a doughnut...(I can only assume that the NHS believe that old stereotype of Fat=Stupid. )
You have to do that every 6 weeks for about 9 months before you are eligible to go forward for your conversion with the surgical team to discuss the option of gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass. (Tier 4) then wait a further 6 months for the surgery.
I jumped through these hoops and had my surgery. I had gone from 19st to 21st while waiting to go /being on Tier 3/4.. so a complete waste of NHS time, my time and everyone's effort. Not to mention the massive cost of all the salaries of receptionist, nurses, dieticians involved.
I lost 7 stone. Which was obviously great . The difference in my health was astounding. Before surgery I was on medication for high blood pressure. A statin, metformin (type 2 diabetes) cortisone injections for painful knees. Thyroxine and associated clinics and monitoring.
Post surgery I am no longer diabetic. Have no knee problems. BP no longer high and the only medication I still take is Thyroxine. I was still 3stone 4lbs overweight. I go to the gym 5 days a week, I eat healthily, but I was only maintaining not losing. Probably due to being post menopausal.
However I am acutely aware of the health issues associated with obesity. (I was still obese with a BMI of 31 from 44 at my heaviest) and decided to investigate the new range of weight loss jabs. I settled on Mounjaro and am 19lbs down in 9 weeks. It's such an amazing tool for weight loss.
So my question is this. Given that obesity is the greatest single cost to the NHS why on earth are they not making MJ or Ozempic available from a GP. ? rather than the long winded and entirely pointless 'tier3 tier 4' nonsense. ?
Why is it that the wealthy are able to lose weight successfully without 'workshops' telling them that Pork pies are more unhealthy than omelettes. ? Or is it just an extension of that fat = stupid stereotype.. to poor=fat=stupid ?
AIBU fat loss jabs should not be available via the GP.
YANBU fat loss jabs work. The NHS will save a lot of money with fewer people suffering obesity related diseases. The benefit will far outweigh the cost.