Are weight loss injections the new Botox/filler?

[WhysEverythingABallAche]

OK, so I’m going to put myself out here and I know I’m going to get my arsed kicked, but here goes as I’m sitting here pissed off about this.

I’ve got through the Botox and Filler pressure. I’ve sat there and listened to people telling my friends how great they look, how glowy etc. and I’ve felt pressurised to get on the band wagon, but I’ve not succumbed. The reason being because I have religiously looked after my skin since I was 16 (now 54) and IMO I’m happy with it.

Now I’m reading everywhere that weight loss injections are amazing, lost 24 pounds in 4 weeks. Best thing I’ve ever done. I’m sitting here thinking FFS is this the new thing I’m going to feel pressure over?

I’m overweight. I’m menopausal. I’m 1.5 to 2 stone overweight. My BMI is 30. I eat loads. I work really hard to stay fit. I’m talking half marathons, power yoga, weights. I need to lose weight though, I’ve just cut myself some menopausal slack in the past year.

Am I now going to have to sit there and listen to people who’ve lost 2 stone and look amazing because they’ve had injections? Is this the new pressure? Is this what I’m now expected to do if I’m struggling to get the weight off?

I just feel it’s another thing piled on women to look slim/ young.

They aren't the panacea every one seems to think they are. Firstly they're expensive and you can't just take it for a few months and then give up as you'll put it all back on and more. There are unpleasant side effects , mainly digestive but they're also hard on the kidneys, I can't have them because I have some kidney damage.

I've also read that that you're only supposed to take it for 2 years for weight loss and the vast majority of people put back at least 66% of the weight they've lost.

I'm currently taking Mounjaro. Wouldn't kick your arse over your post as I think it's an interesting question. I'm 47 and personally have never felt the slightest pressure to go in for botox or fillers. Some of my friends do, but most don't so maybe I just don't have that immediate pressure from my own social circle.

But I really want/need to lose weight. It will benefit my health hugely in a way that having lip fillers obviously wouldn't. So that's the major difference between tweakments and tirzepatides in my mind. There's a lot of moralising around fatness, people look down on you for being fat, but also look down on you for not losing weight in the acceptable (to them) way. Chastised for putting on weight and chastised for taking the easy way out, as people see these injections.

I have read about the early 2000s skinny look coming back in, so there will be lots of already slim people trying to take these drugs to get to an extra skinny physique. I can see the return of that aesthetic leading to some unhealthy behaviour and pressure.

I just want to be in the healthy weight range though. That's my goal. And I think these drugs could be a game changer for lots of people.

@WhysEverythingABallAche well you've said you 'eat loads'. So there is room for change if you want to lose weight. Which is a positive thing. It would be more tricky if you couldn't see where you possibly could make changes. Plus you should have good results if you keep up your exercise routine.

You need to just ignore this 'pressure' from others. You don't have to follow like a sheep. Just read the list of side effects for weight loss injections, that should be enough to put you off.

if you want to lose weight, then as you've said you eat loads, just cut down.

Thanks for the considered responses.

I just love food 😭

I don’t think this is the right place for this post. I take mounjaro (I pay privately) however this isn’t a style or a beauty question.
For what it’s worth, I am paying privately over £200 a month and am willing to do this for the rest of my life (I’m in my 40s) if it means I can lose, and then maintain a healthy weight. I am not really bothered about long term effects the short and long term outlook for being so overweight were not good either.

I think the only people who would consider the side effects and the cost should be those whose health is impacted by their weight- it doesn’t sound like yours is, so I would personally avoid. I would also try and find new friends if you find the sort of conversations triggering and the conversation makes you feel pressurised.

@WhysEverythingABallAche

You still can love food. Just decide to eat good stuff and in smaller portions. Consistently cut down your portions. You get used to it.