I had a really frustrating experience with NHS weight loss services this afternoon. I'd spoken to my GP to inform that I was starting Mounjaro and they referred me to NHS dietetic services for additional help, as my BMI is over 45.
So today was the phone call from the dietician clinic, absolutely lovely guy, told me all about the lovely 12 week weight loss support programme I qualify for as a 'tier two' fatty (more about this later). I'm 100% on board as I know that injections in isolation won't yield long term results. But as he goes on about my 'progress through the programme' I say 'They did tell you I'm on week 2 of using Mounjaro right?' Silence. He goes off to check a few things and comes back and says that because I'm already being treated for weight loss privately I don't qualify for additional NHS support.
I suspected as much, as I wasn't able to be treated for a mental health issue before while going through an autism assessment, so I know these clinics like to have hold of you exclusively, and I don't intend to divert huge amounts of NHS resources but a bit of support along the way would be nice, and I'm not allowed it.
The tier thing is very interesting. So people with BMI below 30 are just given general lifestyle advice. People in tier two have BMI between 30 and 50 and they are offered supported 12 week lifestyle programme. BMI over 50 is tier 3, and that's immediate referral to clinician for bariatric surgery or injections. So in theory if I eat a tonne of cake in the next few weeks I could tip my BMI above 50 and wouldn't have to pay for anything.
I'm not going to do this, it would make me feel grim, but I bet there are a tonne of people with a BMI between 45-50 really struggling to lose weight, and the majority won't be able to self fund treatment. I will continue to self fund, and am happy to do that, but my heart goes out to anyone struggling with a similar situation. It's like being between a rock and a hard place.