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?

Yeah well I have been honest enough to say yes I can be insanely jealous of the wonder switch of these drugs that I am unable to afford or have prescribed 🤷‍♀️

Really? Why are people so aggressive about people having a discussion about health?

Many of us who are completely unbothered by or uninterested in our own weights or those of other people and pay no attention to this have friends or family who are taking/ are considering taking these drugs so we are concerned about the risks.

People also rightly may have concerns about the costs to taxpayers of treating side effects especially in cases where there have been private prescriptions without proper medical oversight and outside the NHS criteria, so no detailed cost/ benefit analysis has been done of the savings to the NHS of moderately overweight people using the drugs versus the cost of treating those who develop side effects which sometimes can be very severe. It’s obviously pertinent that there’s emerging evidence that these are more prevalent in cases where they are used only for weight loss not just to treat diabetes, if the findings of the study quoted by the PP are accurate.

It’s also of general public concern that pharmacies are able to prescribe medication based on self-reported forms which may be inaccurate/ misrepresent/ omit information because that is a safety issue that could affect prescribing of many other drugs as well. Perhaps there should be a better system where patients need to download an actual copy of their medical records from the NHS app to submit with online prescription requests, as a safeguard.

There are clearly various reasons why people who do not need or want these drugs have a legitimate interest in this discussion. It’s quite a leap to assert we are all “jealous” of obese/ severely overweight people who are feeling so desperate and worried about their weight that they feel taking drugs is the only way they can successfully address this. Why would anybody be jealous of someone in that situation?!

Having been knocked out by COVID twice- 3 weeks in bed both times- I wish someone would give me a vaccine I really do. You can't even pay for one very easily.

You sound like you don't trust medical science so maybe it's best in your case to carry on being fat.

So have I. But I constantly think about food. I am never full. I never leave a thing on my plate. Are you similar? It’s just so hard to constantly have to eat consciously when you’re hungry and you dont get the “I’m full” signal. I am tired of that noise controlling me or trying to. I wish I could just quieten that, then I know I would be fine and “normal” ie one of those people who says “I’ve had enough, I’m full now” and it be real.

No I’m not saying you’re morally degenerate? You can do whatever you want to do, as can every other adult commenting on this thread. It sounds like you’re very happy with what you’re doing, in which case just crack on with it!

Thank you, that’s very helpful context and makes sense.

I think this all just highlights how crucial it is for data to be collated. The total number of UK prescriptions versus all the hospital data from severe side effects alongside the patient data for those affected so that with so many people now taking it the large scale data is captured so it’ll be much clearer where the risks lie and the relative risks based on dose, weight/ BMI/ duration of taking the drug, etc.

Why are people so aggressive about people having a discussion about health?

The aggression always appears on these threads. I find it baffling.

Sneering, mockery, weird accusations.

Sigh. Nope that was early trial data, recent wide clinical review shows no increased risk, you can google there is many studies and reviews.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40358430/

https://www.ccjm.org/content/92/8/483

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.19.26348844v1.full

I'm more concerned about the NHS' un-nuanced approach to weight in general.

I was briefly prescribed Trulicity and dropped 10kg in a month. I felt like I was dying, developed gastroparesis that has persisted since stopping the jab, and had migraines basically the whole month.

The GP I saw congratulated me and didn't care how terrible I felt. Kept describing this as a "massive success". As someone with a historic eating disorder (that the GP knows about) it was very triggering to be so celebrated for losing weight no matter what it did to me as a whole. It felt like my suffering didn't matter as long as I wasn't fat anymore.

I’m sorry, that’s awful. What a horrible thing to go through.

Wow. That’s terrible. There’s so much negligence in the NHS.

And respect to you, genuinely. I think we all wish more were like you. It’s ok to say I’m contra indicated or can’t afford, struggle with my weight and am jealous. If I couldn’t access I would be too, losing weight, and more importantly keeping it off, for most of us is a life of guilt, hunger, deprivation and sacrifice.

I am quite surprised at the tone of it all even when people are asking reasonable questions and just responding to the OP’s request and stating their views and concerns. There are also some really awful and upsetting stories and clearly a lot of people who have suffered through terrible experiences.

Sigh? So the BMJ is publishing incorrect info, about early trial data, in January 2026? There was no new warning sent to doctors, as stated? How very odd.

but again....the same question. Which is better? Possibly (and it is possibly, not a definite) experiencing a problem with the gall bladder or remaining at 20stone plus? Because remaining at 20 stone plus is a ticking time bomb, isn't it?

Quoting for irony.

You didn’t bother reading the links?

im sorry you find the fact there is no increased risk distressing. But no one can change that for you.

The NHS are only interested in weight loss if it ends at a healthy BMI, whatever pace or method you use.

I was prediabetic with early liver issues in April, with a BMI of 40+. They asked me for a height and weight update last month and offered me weight loss support groups (?!) after I’ve dropped my BMI to 35.5 with absolutely no help from them.

They didn’t help me put it on, so I’m fine with not being helped to get it off, but the audacity absolutely pissed me off.

Yet not one factually linked to the drugs, not one, all linked to weight loss or gain.

the drugs don’t make you super human and immediately remove all risks of being fat.

but you are calling it a crash diet? And it isn't. Well, not for me it hasn't been and I know I am not alone in that.

My DD has been on MJ for 12 months now, she's lost over 5 stone and looks and feels great. Still a bit of a way to go as her BMI is currently in the overweight category. She has PCOS and despite a healthy lifestyle, careful diet and lots of exercise, her weight unfortunately continued to increase.

there is an inner glow about her that I've noticed with other women who have recently lost a fair bit of weight (and I'm assuming are also on the jabs) where they clearly feel really good about themselves...

Oh sure. But not everyone using these drugs is 20 stone, or even particularly overweight.

I personally would like to keep my gallbladder. It does have a purpose. People are exceptionally cavalier about losing an organ that will have flow-on effects for the rest of their lives.

Yo think you will lose your gallbladder if you take weigh loss meds?

No. But it is a potential side-effect.

Are you all right?

A thousands of very positive stories, where people have changed their lives so much for the better!