What do we REALLY think about the weight loss jabs?

[Newbabynewhouse]

I've put this on AIBU rather than weight loss jab because I want a neutral audience rather than people who are all using the jab.
What are peoples thoughts on the jab? I'd love to hear from someone educated in the medical field about whether these are actually safe for people without diabetes.
I'm obese and I have lost a stone so far by dieting although it's taking me a long time! I know if I keep trying hard I can lose what I need to. Lots of people I know have started dropping weight from using the jabs and I am tempted however, can't shake a feeling that there's something not quite right.
What I mean by this is... these jabs have been around for years for diabetic people, so why have they only just been 'released' to people despite obesity effecting the NHS for years?
I know a woman who fainted in work the other day with gallbladder issues, she's on the jab.
Also, I'm going to sound a little conspiracy theorist now, but, isn't it odd these jabs became popular straight after people starting refusing to have more covid jabs..?.. I'd love to hear from people with a bit of background info or medical professionals to tell me whether I'm overthinking or if I'm onto something?

Did you not consider using ‘hard psychological work’ to manage your ADHD symptoms?

My problem is I go for the test it shows under active. They say test again in 3 months it’s in normal range, 3 months later it’s back showing under. They said unless it’s 2 in a row they won’t do anything about it! This has been going on since I last gave birth he’s 6 now

Is there a link between Mounjaro and gall bladder issues who knows?

Anyone with common sense knows.

The link is weight loss and gall bladder issues. Significant weight loss will usually disrupt your gall bladder. This has been known for several decades. It has been an occurrence long before the WLIs were available. Had it myself - lost 19kg in 6 months and gall bladder threw a whoopsie and had to come out - no jabs involved, was due to endocrinologist coming up with a little bit of a fix for my glandular related obesity. Have a male friend who lost 90 odd kg in 12 months, yes, a very big man, and it was pre jabs, just through diet and exercise. Guess whose gall bladder had to come out!

So, significant weight loss via any means is the link to gall bladder issues. WLI’s cause weight loss. There is your link, no further wondering involved really.

My slightly tongue-in-cheek conspiracy theory is that it WLIs are a psyop to get people used to paying large amounts for the medication they need. Same as medical cannabis. Pain, anxiety,and obesity are all things that people desperately want to alleviate. Likewise prescription skincare. All these things can be obtained with an online consultation and people will happily find the money for them,even if they have to cut back in other areas.

There's an argument that the NHS shouldn't fund seemingly 'frivolous' medication, and a counter argument that if it did the gains would be massive, given time taken out of the economy for sickness, anxiety, and obesity-related illness.

So yes, I reckon it's getting people comfortable with paying a lot of money for medication, by the back door

I was on it for two years. Lost 1 to 2 pounds a week and ate normal family food. If people choose not to do that then they will no doubt regain all the weight they lost very quickly.

I think they are a viable option for people who are struggling under correct medical supervision. My personal feelings is that they have been rolled out too fast privately without proper medical supervision, exit strategies and can cause issues.

One friend has used them she's been able to keep the weight off but has struggled to fully stop. She's had to have her gall bladder removed too.

It makes me laugh when I hear people who wouldn’t take the Covid vaccine because they “don’t know what’s in it and it hasn’t been tested enough” but then I hear they are spending £160 a month pumping weight loss jabs into their body and they don’t know what’s in them either!

I think GLP1s are overprescribed.

I think they're great for a lot of people.

I personally won't take them, I'm too worried about side effects. I won't have laser eye surgery for the same reason.

Who are these people though, that you "hear"? Real people that you know, or people chatting shit on the internet? Or imaginary people that you imagine having those conversations?

I took covid vaccinations, I was happy that I knew what was in them and that they were sufficiently tested. I take Mounjaro, because, guess what? I know what's in it and I am happy it's been sufficiently tested.

Why would they be focusing the sneaky Covid vaccines only on fat people?

Are these real people? That you actually know?

Not sure the OP is coming back but nonetheless I’m pleased this thread is on aibu.

I cannot afford WLIs and would not qualify on the NHS. I have lost over 3 stone over 18 months by calorie counting and focussing on mainly whole foods, protein and eating for satiety, while eating things that taste good. All good you might say.

But I do not have a full signal. I’ve tried to find it but I can’t. I have to weigh everything and religiously track to maintain my weight which is still overweight (size 12 or even 14 I will likely never be) but out of obese. I honestly believe that those of us who are never properly satisfied cannot help it. Listen to Dr Yeo. For me, I will likely never really be able to eat when hungry only, not clear a plate, not take more if offered but I have no choice. Well I do actually- keep as I am, or relax and eat because I think I’m hungry and regain the weight. Back to obese.

I can be insanely jealous of those who use WLI. I know it’s wrong as what others do or are is none of my business. I am genuinely pleased for those I know in my life who are so much healthier as a result. But I envy that off switch they have. They tell me this is the thing it gives them which is the biggest wonder of all. Like they now can eat “normally” and actually feel full on a normal adult portion.

I am I think quite an intelligent person who is knowledgeable about nutrition, balance, foods, and dare I say it, a pretty fab home cook! So I know what to do and I know where I struggle.

One of my closest friends has done really well on WLI and I am happy to see her happy as a result. The one thing though that still gets me despite me berating myself for it, is when we meet and go for lunch or whatever, she seems to make a point of telling me she’s full. I feel like she’s stabbing her fork in me. I eat my food, enjoy it, finish my plate as I always do, and am quietly screaming shut the fuck up about being so full. Because that is the one thing despite all I’ve done I cannot find.

So yes - probably I’m in acceptance mode, but my god I wish that amazing off switch could be mine too.

The thing is, that if people were suddenly able to en masse lose the weight without needing GLP1s we would still see a potential uptick in gall bladder issues. Because it's the losing weight that's the issue, not some effect that the GLP1s are have by somehow causing gallstones. And as a nation we want people to lose weight and reduce obesity rates, which will then reduce a whole host of other serious long term health conditions. So what do people who are obese need to do - somehow lose the weight without risking gall bladder issues? That's not possible.

I wonder what "proper medical supervision" is meant to be?

They changed my life. Best thing ever as far as I'm concerned. Wish they'd been around years ago.

All medication has side effects. They seem to be minor as so many of are taking them.
I don’t need them. I have the opposite problem that I don’t feel hungry, eating for energy not pleasure.

I think WLI are brilliant. They have given a lot of people back their life. They could be cheaper and accessible to more people. Weight loss isn’t about a smaller waistline, it gives users the confidence to exercise and get out more.

They’re not an easy fix but a great crutch. Take the tinfoil hat off.

I think the issues around obesity both for the individual and for society are so far reaching that even if there are some side effects, it's worth it overall for the majority of people.
People are free to choose to take them if they feel it improves their life quality. I applaud the fact that they are doing something positive for themselves.
That's all I think about it.

I really could do with losing another stone, I am menopausal and it’s impossible. So I am tempted but the thought of hair loss puts me off.
Someone I know has been on them lately, she has so much excess skin, especially on her arms. She used to be incredibly fit and she’s only in her early 40s, I don’t think it’s the right way for her. She should have tried exercise again first at least, she won’t be able to afford to get the arm skin removed.

I do have a good friend who is waiting for a knee operation. She’s always been overweight, it’s worse now with her knee. She’s not allowed to exercise and the weight makes it worse. I don’t understand why the hospital hasn’t put her on them. It would improve her knee and would be better not to be so big for the operation/recovery. I don’t think she could afford it herself buy really it’s the kind of thing it should be used for.

This is SUCH a weird take. It’s not a competition. The drugs are another route to health for people who need them. I gained 3st after medical menopause and absolutely battled (unsuccessfully) to get back to a healthy weight for years after. The drugs are helping me regain my health. Why would you see that as ‘unfair’? So so strange.

The main issue is that people don’t view obesity as a health problem. They view it as a moral failing. Fat, to them, equals lazy, ill-disciplined, lacking self-respect. People who are thin aren’t just viewed as healthier (which they are), they’re viewed as morally superior; essentially they’re better people.

The problem for people who hold that view is that the playfield has been somewhat levelled. People can now lose weight more easily so the line of attack has changed - now the use of the drugs is itself is viewed a personal failing. Thin itself has no value in their eyes unless it’s a result of hard work and sacrifice.

Conspiracy nonsense aside, and excluding those whose these drugs to manage diabetes, it’s obvious why WLIs are attractive to a culture that wants everything now and doesn’t want to work for it. We work in more sedentary jobs, drive more, exercise less and eat more UPF. This is difficult to change without a lot of effort and most people don’t want to commit to that effort. I don’t blame any individual for that but it’s the lazy and less healthy option for sure.
No doubt pharma has been trying to get these licensed for wider use for a long time, and now they have, it’s no big secret.

😀😀😀😀

I think they are absolutely life-changing. Worth every single penny and every hour of overtime I've done to pay for MJ.

My BMI has dropped from 63.1 to 23.4 over two years. I have had zero side effects beyond a bit of constipation. I no longer think about food constantly. No food noise has meant I've been able to do the psychological work around binge eating disorder without the urge to binge constantly buzzing away in my head.

I feel amazing, I can walk for miles, I can run, I am no longer breathless at the slightest exertion and having to plan how I get around a room past obstacles like tables and chairs.

If people think I'm cheating I don't really care. I've struggled with my weight, with emotional and binge eating disorder all of my life, right from childhood. I've tried every diet going, every fad, everything - I lost weight, I put it all and more back on multiple times.

WLI have enabled me to lose the weight, properly and put the work in to stop me piling it back on when I eventually come off them. They are a miracle.

I didn’t say anything about you. I’m explaining why I don’t want it. That’s my reasoning. Obviously your weight was quite bad to begin with so your situation is very different to mine. Congratulations on your journey.

I think they are a fantastic tool for people who have previously struggled to lose weight and are obese. I think it will probably save the NHS a lot of money in the long run as obesity leads to all sorts of health complications.

However, it's pretty clear from reading posts on here that there are not enough checks and balances. People are lying about their weight to obtain them via online pharmacies. That needs to be cracked down on, in the same way we would for any medication being falsely obtained.

Also, it grates on me a bit when I hear people say that they still had to work hard to lose the weight. If that's true then why take the medication in the first place? As someone who has battled with the same stone over and over again, I think it's disingenuous to suggest that having something suppress your appetite isn't most of the battle.