AIBU to ask GP for weightloss jab?

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Im 43, bmi 37, 5ft 8inc, size 18. Ive recently had my over 40s health MOT at the doctors and ive got high blood pressure and cholesterol (they text and want me to go in a statin). Ive not really discussed my results properly yet with them as we keep missing each other on the phone.

i saw the GPs will prescribe it for those classed as obese (me) and have high BP.

morally should i? Could i use this opportunity with the weight loss jab to change my lifestyle/habits?

Can you afford to buy it as many people do?

Ive been toying with buying it but £200 a month is just not practical for me atm. Just about to become a single mum so moneys tight

It’s unlikely that your gp will prescribe it. Most are sending people to weight loss services until there is better guidance about the long term plans for injectables.
Otherwise the gp services are going to be flooded by this work and have no funding for it.

Incredibly difficult to get it on the NHS for weight loss unfortunately. Nothing to stop you asking though.

The GP will prescribe Xenical first. Although you are obese, you aren't in category 3, so I don't think you'll be approved for the jabs yet.

Go ahead and ask for a referral but you may have a wait.

Of course you could. I could to, as I'm 48, 5'4" size 30 and weigh 23stone (with all the associated health conditions you'd expect). But I won't, because my 80yr old Dad is diabetic and if there's one dose of Ozempic to go around, I'd far rather him have it as he didn't create his condition whereas I do take full responsibility for creating my morbid obesity. However I justify it to myself, whatever shit and trauma Ive been through, however weird my hormones are....I put the food in my mouth to make myself this fat. I did that. I am not a foie gras duck.

So yes, you absolutely could....but it doesn't mean you should.

The GPs are not giving ozempic for the weightloss drug - this is a different drug and not taking anything from diabetics.

Mounjaro’s for weight loss not Ozempic. At your size and weight and family history you would definitely get it.

I know many on it that have had varying results the only consistent one is that they weight rapidly returns when you stop and it isn’t a life long solution you need to tackle the reason for an unhealthy relationship with food to impact and life long change and not a quick fix it is also extremely hard to get on the nhs without diabetes

The moral question is ridiculous. Being morbidly obese is a far bigger strain on society and the NHS beside the individual themselves. The weightloss jab is not taking anything from diabetics. Thats ozempic and not licensed for weight loss.

OP you can absolutely ask for it but most likley wont be prescribed it by GP. Most areas recquire you to fulfil a criteria for referral and it varies in different places. If you dont ask you dont get.

Also they’re are constant shortages (unless paying privately and even then their have been similar shortages) but the nhs shortages are insane making it extremely hard to stay consistent

There is no shortage of Mounjaro, and Ozempic is reserved for diabetics. People are prescribed Wegovy for weight loss.

There's absolutely no issue with asking the GP about treatments and getting a referral but you are going to be asked to go through tier 1 and 2 approaches before having any chance of being offered a weight loss medicine on the tier 3 level approach. That could take many months to work through.

In the meantime you could look at medium term budgeting to see if you could save enough to afford 6 to 9 months of private weight loss injections. You can change suppliers for each order to take advantage of first time customer discounts and referral codes. Some offer permanent "blue light" discounts if that applies,

Not necessarily, I was the same weight and although it’s licenced it’s very hard to get it prescribed on the NHS. I buy it privately

I have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of TIA's, and a BMI over 50. I can't get any help from my doctors whatsoever.

But I always say if you dont ask you don't get, so ask away and get them fingers crossed ... good luck!

The level of ignorance on here is quite amusing really. nobody on here knows someone who's been on it a long time and has then come off it for a long time and put the weight back on. It hasn't been going long enough for weight loss for that to happen.

Being overweight has so many negative impacts on our health, I say this as an ex-runeer who now has knackered knees and I overweight ergo a thin person in a chunky body 🤣🤣🤣

Talk to your GP. Try the injections - they don't suit everyone. But you would likely meet the requirement to have them.

Good luck.

You could try cycling or weightlifting or both if your knees will have it. That's if you wanted to back into exercise.

I am so sorry to hear of your struggle I wish I knew what to say that could help you.

Thank you

I didn't really expect my docs to help when I asked tbh. I now refuse to take any blood pressure tabs, statins or beta blockers my doctors ask me to take, it's a bit pointless treating the outcome but not the cause, although it's my mental health and hormones that got me into this mess, I couldn't get help with that either and certainly no HRT. So anyways at least I'm not costing the tax payers anything :-)

ive struggled with my weight for years. Ive tried to diet and exercise but im struggling. Its disheartening at this size where one week you lose 6lbs, the next youve put on whilst sticking to the same. I just feel a reset of removing the weight whilst eating healthy and exercising would really help me to keep it off long term.

ive never been to the GP about my weight. Im not a regular at my GP

Then I’m afraid that’s tough. The NHS doesn’t give out the jabs unless you’re diabetic.
You’ll need to find the money to self fund if you want to use it now.

I think its bmi over 35 plus high blood pressure OR diabetes

i think i might be eligible

There's no moral issue here, WLD are for people like you. You may be reffered to a weight management service first (I had to complete a 12 week coaching course) and then there may be quite the wait for a referral appointment to discuss WLD (it's been 6 months and I am still waiting, I am buying mine privately). But yes, ask for it and get the ball rolling. It could make all the difference for you.

It’s not that clear cut.

Your gp would likely refer you to a weight management service. There’s several hoops to jump through before the prescribe it.

If they will at all.

But if you think it could help, ask. Nothing wrong with that.