To wonder if there will be any fall out from skinny jabs?

[TheLemonGuide]

Everyone I know is now suddenly very slim. Okay, im exaggerating slightly, but genuinely, most of my friends who were previously overweight are all now slim thanks to skinny jabs. I am delighted for them! It seems unbelievable to think that a jab can cure this obesity crisis, but I am so pleased my friends and a couple of family members are able to live a healthier life thanks to this.

My only slight concern is, is this something that is going to be too good to be true? Do you think there will be any long term repercussions, or are we right to just celebrate this medication as a cure for something that so many have been battling for so long?

I recently went to a 6 course meal jazz night (in a costume I would not have been seen dead in when fat). Was really annoyed i hadn’t noticed prior to cooking as I expected a gargantuan feast and being unable to stand up at the end of the evening [hmmm, wonder how I gained the weight all those years ago].

It was spaced over the evening from 6ish to 930, so a couple of small courses, then a ‘scene’/performance, then another course etc. The main course was not huge, but substantial enough, and the other courses were really not much more than a few mouthfuls, so I was happy to eat it all over the course of the evening. I would struggle to eat a 2-3 course restaurant meal in the 2hours slots (ie within about 1 hr 15mins, allowing for oridering/cooking etc), but this set up was lovely.

It was pretty low carb, which has been a feature of my weight loss journey and maintenance approach. Carbs are still likely to cause illness/nausea if consumed in excess, so I just am not bothered any more.

I also know folk on the skinny jabs who have lost a lot of weight, but most have developed the 'ozempic face' ie they now look really gaunt and ill. Apparently it also leads to muscle loss not just fat loss.

That's more what I would've expected, notwithstanding I have no experience of tasting menus on WLIs so am guessing.

Maybe things like that might become more popular as the number of longer term WLI users who are maintaining grows. People who are already very familiar with how the drug affects them and have a stable appetite. Probably would feel like more of a risk if you were just getting used to a new dose and being strict.

If they are so safe, why can I not take them? I’m bmi 25 but the constant hunger and constant dieting to try to stay at bmi 25 makes me depressed at times. It’s a constant hunger every single day, even on binge days. I think it’s because I’ve lost 2 stone over the last couple of years and my body just wants to put that back on. I’m really hoping that if a tablet comes along, and the price comes down, I’ll be able to choose to get it.

@Theolittle you can. There are a few online pharmacies who will prescribe off licence to people with a BMI of 25.

Theolittle You can. Voy and Med Express are now offering it off label to people with a BMI of 25.

I think in the weight loss phase, when people are focused on getting to target, meals out are a real issue. It’s only been the last 9 months, really, that I have felt confident going out for meals again (and been surprised that I can actually eat). Been on maintenance for 18m, though and the hunger suppression is less acute, but the food noise and feeling fuller is still there to a large extent.

It means that I am not worrying and thinking about food before a big night, so can just enjoy it. I am happy to swap fries/carbs for extra salad or greens and to share a dessert or… can you believe it… just eat half. I used to feel self-conscious and worry they would look at the fat women pretending she doesn’t eat loads but I soon got used to just asking for what I wanted. My calorie intake has remained low as a result.

DH was very supportive/patient in the nearly 2 years it took to loose and start to feel confident I COULD maintain, but I could tell by the end that he missed the currys out. Now, so long as I have a side plate and a few tastes of the bits I like, he is happy as he understands that a post meno woman in her 50’s simply cannot eat as much as he does. He just wants to share a bottle of wine in a nice restaurant and chat. He could care less if he eats 2/3 of the meal or we leave lots. It takes time and confidence in your friends to know that this will be okay though.

Tasting menus, therefore, are excellent. Small portions that don’t overwhelm and it doesn’t look rude to only take a few bites, as the few bites left don’t look like a dreadful waste. Psychologically I think they are the way forward!

Because you have no clinical need to lose weight with a BMI of 25?

You may, however, have issues with food and an emerging eating disorder if you are that depressed and obsessed with feelings of hunger. I’d suggest GLP1 medications are not needed, but therapy may be useful.

They always look really expensive, about £100 to £150. I'd rather just have one meal for £20.

That is steep! I've seen some for more like £50 per head, albeit not with wine.

It's interesting to speculate on how restaurants and hospitality might change in response to greater WLI usage. There must be lots of us even now, and more to come, who still enjoy eating out and won't want to give that up. We're a market to cater for.

Because safety is a risk balance. They are safer that remaining obese and the risks that come with obesity, but they are not completely without side effects. If you don’t have the obesity risks then you are adding risk with nothing to balance it.