Weight loss injections/NHS/best options?

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Hi all, would appreciate advice on my best options. My husband had great success with Wegovy which we paid for privately. I also tried it but only for 2 months, as I came off to try for our 2nd baby (which we now have!). I lost weight on it and was so happy with it, I'm 32 and have been trying to lose weight since I was about 15 years old but only ever gained, classic story I'm sure many of you understand.

So I'm 32 with a BMI of 40-41. I'm currently breastfeeding and will be for around another year if it goes the same way as my first baby. So I can't use the injections for a year so thinking of my options. We're not in a financial position to get them privately anymore, work situation has changed plus there will be nursery fees. My husband thinks there'll be some kind of waiting list to get them on the NHS and I should get myself on it now. I think there is no waiting list you just can't really get them on NHS, and maybe if we start saving now then in a year we could pay for a few months privately. What do you think is the best option if I plan to use them in a year?

Well, there’s more than one way to potentially access WLI via the NHS. There is the rollout of Mounjaro to be prescribed directly via GPs and other local services. The first phase of that is for those with BMI over 40 with 4 out of 5 specific weight related health issues. The next phase is for BMI 40+ with 3 out of the 5 weight related health conditions. I don’t know if you’d meet those criteria?

Then, if you go through the specialist weight loss service “tiers”, when on Tier 3 some NHS areas will offer Wegovy prescriptions instead of bariatric surgery. With your BMI being over 40 you could probably self refer or ask your GP to refer you to the Tier 2 service. Then you could work through that process, which is usually coaching and apps, maybe dietician input or similar. If you didn’t lose any significant weight via that, then you could be moved onto Tier 3 and be considered for either bariatric surgery or Wegovy if available.

I’d explore your options with your local NHS weight loss service, what they offer, what tier you can access now and so on. I’d also start saving for a possible private prescription if that doesn’t work out.

There's almost no chance of getting them kn the NHS. And there's not a waiting list, if you were to qualify you'd just get them. Its not just about being overweight. You have to have 4 quote significant comorbidities.

What you could do:

• Have a health check with your GP. Request things like tests for diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid, iron. Follow any advice you're given about lifestyle changes and medication as a result of the tests.
• Ask your GP for weight loss support. They often offer a program of healthy eating advice or reduced cost exercise classes. Find time to follow-up on these.
• While at the GP, ask for a flu jab and anything else you qualify gor while BMI is over 40.

There is no need to wait until after you finish breastfeeding to make health changes. As long as the changes you make are breastfeeding and early parenthood friendly, you can make the changes now.

In terms if WLI, I'd suggest you get your head around the fact that you'd need to pay. Either save up, or consider it a priority and so offset other spending when budgeting. For example, maybe you'd otherwise spend £15pm at slimming world, £50pm at the gym, £35pm on special diet food - instead you could offset that £100 towards WLI, eat whole-foods and do C25K for free exercise.

The first post whilst accurate fai!s mention it will take several years to be eligible and no waiting list. You're also more likely to be offered surgery on tier 3 now. So saving is your only option