To wonder how people afford weight loss injections?!

[Karmacharm]

So many people I know are doing Mounjaro or Ozempic. I’ve looked at the price online and even with the discount it’s still hugely expensive in this cost of living crisis.
I would love to do it but there’s no way I can afford it long term.

The NHS app reckons that I should be able to lose weight on 1400 calories a day. In actual fact, I'm having to cut down to closer to 1000 plus i'm visiting the gym 4 days a week. (Doing a mix of cardio, resistance bands and weights.)

I'm a smidgen off 5ft 9. Started out at 16stone 4. I was tempted by the injections, but - aside from the reasoning I've already given above, was worried about side effects: I already have gastro reflux and IBS, so saw no point in risking further trouble.

Having a payday definitely helps, first thing I do.

It does get tight nearer payday but it turns out I have also been overpaying council tax at this time too!

I couldn’t buy both this and HRT privately like I know some people are forced to. Had a shock the other day looking up Progesterone at £31 odd and the tube of Oestrogel £44. Understand now why I can’t get a repeat prescription for HRT and keep having reviews!

I was nice while I could get the Victoza injections on prescription (couple of months in 23 but that was whilst I was off sick from work) but if I had to chose which one to keep on prescription- HRT would win every time.

another uneducated judgement

I manage it by not having any other vices. I have an extremely hectic lifestyle, I cannot go to the gym and I can't even pee alone let alone leave the house to go for a run. I don't eat takeaways etc. I was unwell for sometime and the weight crept on, when it came to losing it I struggled. Somewhat because I have 2 SEN children and have zero ability to exercise, and the rest because of my age and pre existing health conditions.
So injections became my best option and they worked well for me. I got to a healthy weight and have since maintained it. I didn't have a great deal to lose in the grand scheme of things but I was very close to being too overweight for an essential surgery so I had to do something.

Overweight people don’t all eat so many takeaways.

How so?

I think they meant not everyone is struggling for money?

Your appetite doesn't disappear.

I'm on mounjaro and I eat 3 meals a day. You just can't manage as much.

It's not a miracle drug, you do still have to eat mindfully.

One pair of trainers and an inner tube would cover it, tbh.

He gets to spend on his health and wellbeing - maybe it's time for the family money to be spent on yours for a change?

There are a lot of people on here saying that they are struggling to eat enough though.
I worry that I would cut my intake too low if I was on it

I want to lose 3 stone. I started at the end of June and I’m close to my goal.

From posts on here, I think Mounjaro seems to be better.

You don’t need a GP referral as the online registered GP approves it.

Hope this is okay to ask - did you find yourself more thirsty on wegovy? I’ve been on it for a month (it’s fab!!) but feel really thirsty?

Priorities. I am a chubbo but I would rather put the money towards my dc down payment for their flats.

Just in case this helps, I’ve been doing keto for almost 6 weeks and have lost 24 lbs so far.

I do have a lot to lose but even so, it’s actually been surprisingly easy. I aim for less than 30g carbs per day, but try to go under 20g per day.

No rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, sugar, or processed foods. I have big, filling meals. Go careful with fruit and don’t forget to count carbs in veg.

I bloody hate counting calories - it never seems to work well for me as I seem to put weight on differently with sugary foods.

I never, ever thought I’d be able to do this. I have a really sweet tooth and love carbs. But I’m genuinely surprised how easy it’s been. I do make a big bowl of sugar free jelly to keep in the fridge - ideal from when I want something sweet after dinner.

I’m only commenting on your post in case it helps - I know when I was just starting I found it really useful hearing from others similar to me who were losing weight with keto. Personally, I won’t touch the injections as I’ve read the potential side effects and don’t want to risk it. The NHS recommends keto/low carb too because it’s a healthy way to eat and stops your blood sugar spiking. Good luck! 😊

And some of us can afford both 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry, have not thought of that. Doooh. But some of us are helping our dc to buy flats in multiple jurisdictions (I am Asian).

I am inclined to agree with you. To not lose weight on 1000 cals at 5'9" and 4 lots of hard exercise indicates there is something else going on.

Maybe the first day of the injection but it wanes across the week.

If you still eat shit, you don't lose much.

It does affect people differently, though.

Cycling is a really expensive hobby. Are you getting your fair share of disposable income in the marriage or do you only get what’s left after DH spends?

Actually, studies have shown they reduce heart disease and stroke risk and GLP-1 inhibitors may have a role in fighting certain types of cancers as well as brain disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Weight loss and insulin management is the tip of the iceberg.

The 'cancer risk' mainly relates to a heightened risk in mice of thyroid cancer, which they haven't actually seen replicated in humans in the 10 years these medications have existed c but out of caution anyone with a family history of thyroid cancer shouldn't take them.

www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/15/drugs-like-ozempic-wegovy-zepbound-and-mounjaro-could-treat-other-conditions-heres-what-scientists-are-looking-at/

www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/05/drugs-like-ozempic-could-lower-cancer-risks-study-suggests/

It's actually fascinating how many benefits they could potentially unlock.

The reality is.. if you’re on minimum wage or on the breadline as they say it’s clearly not marketed to you.
you can get it for £150 a month, which while it’s a lot, it’s reasonable. Many people save on all the food they don’t buy anymore or make cuts elsewhere. Mind I said cuts not savings.

Many Get it via the NHS if they have co morbidities or if they’re on the weight loss pathway and that the next step after other stuff has failed.

if your BMI is over 35 go to your GP and ask to be referred for a Weightloss clinic in the hospital.

You get injections off Tier 3.

Tier 1 if GP advice and medication.
Tier 2 I’d diet programs
Tier 3 is diet programs and the injections at a hospital
Tier 4 is gastric surgery usually.

Lastly, there’s loads of people that are not struggling with money.

Mounjaro is best. Has better weight loss stats and less side effects.

Weight wise, your BMI needs to be over 30 to qualify.

You don't need a referral from your GP, but your GP would be informed by your prescriber.

Head over to the weight loss injectable board to find out more info. There are some offer codes about to get discounts on first pen etc. So good to look for those before signing up.

I’m massively overweight but I don’t spend enough on food that I could save £200 and still feed the family. Pasta and white bread are cheap - eat too much of them I am fat.

I do save some money from snacking less and we eat out less frequently. I don't have an appetite for breakfast anymore and am more content to eat cheap and repetitive meals for dinner which is money saved on groceries.

But the real answer is just that we have the spare money to afford it. There are quite a few things I'd give up before giving up the Mounjaro though, if we were on a tight budget.