26-28 BMI (who will prescribe)?

[coolpattern]

Hi,

I’ve been following for awhile and do want to try the injections. However, under 30 BMI looks like it’s not automatically accepted.

anyone else in the same boat and found a website that will prescribe if I’m honest about my current weight and BMI? I do have lipoedema but would declare that.

No. No one will prescribe. You will need to lie, which I am not recommending, if you want to go ahead. It's not that it is harmful at a lower weight, but it's only currently licensed for BMI 30+ and no prescriber will knowingly override this.

Thank you. Do all the pharmacies check with your gp?

Some might prescribe to someone with a I over 27 from certain ethnic minority groups and/or with a weight related condition, but I'm guessing that doesn't apply to you?

Hopefully no one with any ethics

Why would you be unkind? I don’t entirely believe in the accuracy of the BMI calculator but can assure you I need to lose around 10kgs and my lipoedema makes it really difficult to lose weight.

@coolpattern you can fill out an online consultation, give your height and weight and explain your lipoedema and see what the outcome is. It may be that lipodoema is a condition that means they can prescribe at a lower BMI.

I was prescribed at bmi 28 by zava. I was /am carrying weight around my stomach and since menopause have put on 2 stone which I couldn't shift. Also had a very late pregnancy at 49 when I got gestational diabetes so that is a risk. Can't remember if they asked about diabetes but I did put that I have high cholesterol based on a health check I had a year ago (tbh honest probably most/ many people in their 50s have this quite common). So depending on what you look like in photos they ask for and other conditions it could be prescribed.

Voy prescribed to me at bmi 28, like pp I carry most weight around my stomach x

There's a big difference between a BMI of 26 and one of 28.
I would hope that prescribers would stick to the prescribing guidelines but not everyone has a moral compass with these injections.

I carry weight around my stomach but it's not part of the criteria.

I doubt you would be prescribed when you declare your actual BMI and lipoedema.

Not sure MJ would give you what your are looking for if your overall body weight is not in the obese range. My understanding is lipoedema fat deposits don't respond to conventional diet (reduced calories) in the same way which is what MJ does. Although some people say it helps with inflammation which might help.

It sounds like one you need a discussion with your own GP or a supportive prescriber about your needs to make sure you are not wasting your money or potentially harming yourself, rather than trying to work out ways to get around the prescribing guidelines that are there to protect patients.

Yes I thought liposuction was the only recommended treatment for lipoedema

Yes lipo is the only cure but it’s not available on the NHS unfortunately

Wait, people who aren’t obese are using weight loss injections?
Doesn't that go against any researched evidence and safety guidelines?

I've just ordered from medexpress with a bmi of 28 but I said it was 30.

I had to send a full length photo, I obviously look 'obese' as it was approved immediately.

To be fair ALL my weight is on my stomach. I look 7 months pregnant and I cannot shift it.

I know I am technically under the BMI but my height to waist ratio is ridiculous, so I feel it's justified in that sense.

My BMI is 28 but I would need a size 18 in jeans

Well yes, but they don't care. According to some posters on this type of thread the injections should be available for life despite reaching a healthy weight. Some posters want to continue eating McDonald's regularly and take it. Some posters lie to get it.

These companies are often immoral. I looked at Voy this morning out of curiosity and was offered weight loss drugs, not injections, to get from 55kg to 54kg. BMI of 20. At a cost of around £35 a month. Insane.

Mounjaro is approved for people with a BMI of 27-30 who also have a weight-related condition such as prediabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Do you have any of those? Re containing to use medication once people have reached a healthy weight, that’s no different to continuing to take blood pressure medications once you’ve achieved a healthy blood pressure.

Thanks, I’ve been following some lipoedema groups and feedback is that it does seem to help with inflammation and pain (and some weight loss) 😁

OP. Dm'ed you

The medication isn’t automatically prescribed with BMI over 30. You still have a consultation to go through your medical history to ensure it’s suitable for you. As others have mentioned, you may not be considered suitable.

I’m concerned about your attitude as you only have 10kg to lose but are desperate to try medication you’re not eligible for. I was on the lower end of needing to lose weight compared to others due to being short (so having smaller BMI weight ranges) and “only” being Class 1 Obese. I still had 17kg to lose to get me to Healthy BMI even with the smaller weight ranges. There’s risks when people use this medicine as a quick fix to shift smaller amounts of weight as you’re more likely to experience significant side effects.

I think your options are to apply as you are (and likely be rejected). Or to try and lose weight on your own, and if you become obese to then look into Mounjaro. I don’t agree with lying about your weight because you’re placing yourself at risk, you’re placing your prescriber at risk, you may require medical attention if things go wrong etc. Plus prescription guidelines are actually becoming more strict so you may be caught out.

I got it at a BMI of 29 because of having PCOS. My GP was supportive of me doing it and said getting to a healthy weight would benefit my health.

Im now one of those ‘awful’ people still on it at a BMI of 22 steadily maintaining my weight loss. I’ve changed my diet and increasing my activity.

Do people whose weight drops below 30 still get prescribed the drug? I mean people who who started on a higher BMI.

@Babbahabba yes, usually until they reach a healthy weight, the exact BMI depends on the prescriber. Some prescribers are looking at plans for longer-term maintenance doses too.

You don't get dropped the minute your BMI goes below 30.

People don't care about this.

@LegoTherapy - your post isn’t strictly accurate. Yes some people are potentially going to take it for life even if they reach a healthy BMI. This is actually in line with what the manufacturers have said. For some people these medications will be a bit like statins for high cholesterol or blood pressure medication for high blood pressure. Do you any issue with those?

I definitely don’t agree with people with small amounts to lose being prescribed any medication for weight loss. Or people lying.

However @coolpattern you won’t know till you try. I don’t know much about Lipoedema. I would suggest you try a reputable supplier like Boots OnLine Doctor and be honest in the consultation. If they say know then at least you know. You will have to give payment details but they won’t charge you if you are not approved. Boots are also good because they will continue to prescribe as people’s weight reduces.

There’s two aspects to this:

1. People who do not meet the initial requirements (ie Obese BMI or Overweight BMI with certain medical conditions) will not be prescribed the medication. They are not permitted to take the medication.

1. People who did meet the initial requirements, and go on to have lost weight using Mounjaro and are therefore no longer obese can still be prescribed the medication. This is because it’s a course of treatment to take patients from Obese BMI to Healthy BMI over a period of months. This is permitted.