Two in five people using private weight loss jabs are going into debt

[WeAllHaveWings]

Just heard this on the radio. The percentages of WLI users going into debt and the amount of debt is so much higher than I would have ever guessed.

Scotland, 39.5%, £1,799.06
North West, 33.1%, £1,861.74
North East, 50.0%, £1,396.19
Yorkshire and the Humber, 42.3%, £1,901.07
Wales, 44.9%, £1,466.05
West Midlands, 38.3%, £1,326.34
East Midlands, 45.8%, £1,365.47
South West, 36.9%, £1,758.79
South East, 36.8%, £1,501.95
East of England, 42.2%, £2,463.41
London, 37.6%, £1,386.74

https://www.independent.co.uk/money/north-east-north-west-south-east-east-of-england-south-west-b2906244.html

Is this is the outcome of patients not researching this is not a quick fix fully before committing, or, providers not fully informing/consulting with potential patients of the long term financial commitment they are undertaking when initiating treatment, or, desperation for treatment for a chronic health issue with limited alternatives?

The findings may also intersect with broader factors, such as obesity links to poverty, as well as stigma that leads some patients to hide treatment/costs from partners.

Whatever the reason, the high numbers of people found to be struggling was eye opening for me. Always assume some would struggle, especially those who need higher doses, but never realised it was so high.

The pharmacy doesn't.

Clearpay and Klarna can be used anywhere that takes debit cards. The pharmacy wont know thats the payment method. Klarna creates a one time use debit card.

Not necessarily, it’s really not that simple, people may buy better quality food which offsets the cost, ie fresh fruit meats, sea food etc,

Yes it’s not a new thing,

I still eat and enjoy food. I still eat out socially and have takeaways (make better choices and I eat reduced portions but still pay roughly the same). It was only in the first couple of months with the initial intense suppression food intake significantly reduced.

Once that settled down a good sized portion of lean good quality steak, salmon fillets (2 for a meal with veg), decent quality chicken, nuts, seeds, fresh veg, salads, berries etc every day are all A LOT more expensive than filling up with carbs - pasta (75p a bag), rice (£1-ish a bag), bread (£1 loaf).

If I am eating steak and salmon I can hardly expect dh and ds to eat pasta so they get steak too! Costs a fortune, but we are all healthier for it!

luckily I can afford to fund mj using my wages as I no longer go out every weekend spending on booze and takeaways and foodbill is a lot lower. BUT, knowing how I feel on it now, I would absolutely get into debt for it. Worth every penny to me.

It’s definitely a subject that should be in the news if it’s reported for the right reason, how awful it is that a health choice should be the cause of debt in a world where there is obscene amounts of wealth. Our world is messed up enough, on here it should be possible to support each other, not judge and definitely not feel the need to defend or justify our choices and positive actions. The news article is click bait for a hot topic, lazy journalism at best and as for anyone who uses it as an opportunity to be holier than thou, well I would say wind your neck in and mind your business 😉

So would I. As long as I could service it I’d have no qualms, and I don’t do debt, but knowing what I know now and experiencing it,I’d absolutely go into debt for my health.

I wouldn’t have thought so, no. Aren’t people usually claiming the opposite? That poor people are fat because healthy food is expensive and crap food is cheep?

If people are doing WLI right, then they should be switching to healthier, and thus more expensive, foods.

Absolutely, most people use credit these days.

I still buy food. It’s better quality so costs more, not less. I still go for a coffee every day. I still eat out once a month, more on my 6 weekly work trips. We definitely have takeaways still.

That's very good value, depending on dose, and how much it increases per dose increase

Usual cliche that everyone who is fat eats a never-ending stream of takeaways and snacks ... not saying no-one does, but it certainly isn't a given.

I do 4-5 reformer Pilates a week. I love it. But struggling to see how it’s helpful? If you want to build or maintain muscle it’s a gimmick. It’s most useful for balance.

But a quick trip to the supermarket destroys that myth. Loose vegetables can be had for pence. It’s very easy to make cheap healthy food if you prepare from basic ingredients. Far cheaper than ready meals or takeaways.
Even Jamie is on it now, feeding families for £5 with some amazing recipes.

According to the UCL Researchers who conducted the study, they found that use of the drugs was twice as common among women compared to men and more common among people in middle age (aged 45-55), and those who reported psychological distress in the past month. As well it's been documented that once going off on the medication, the weight comes back within 18 months. Therefore it's a life-long commitment financially. I will get chastised for saying this, but if that money was not better spent on therapy for these participants, they wouldn't be in this situation and better able to handle their lack of confidence in their appearance. It's about playing on people's insecurities, which is the definition of capitalism. One can only hope that it doesn't become another "legalized" crisis like Fentanyl or medical cannabis.

This isnt true. Ive lost a sensible 1 to 2 pounds a week over a year to lose a total of 5 stone and to maintain weight loss I weigh myself daily and deal with any weight gain immediately rather than 2 stone down the line. Its staying off.
Any fool knows that if you stuff your face with takeaways you will put the weight back on.

I didn't spend £300 a month on takeaways before WLI and I spend more now on things like protein bars and powders than I ever did. The only thing I don't buy now is all the bread products I used to over eat. My food bill is exactly the same as it ever was, so WLI is definitely an extra expense for me. I dare say some people will be saving a lot but not all.

You know my toes do curl a bit reading this nonsense. I kinda feel second hand embarrassment for the poster. Why on earth do people rush in, elbows out, posting on a subject they clearly know nothing about.

most people lose a sensible 1-2lbs a week. Yes some lose more. Yes Some lose less. But look at any thread, and that’s the norm,

to lose that weight on the drugs you need to change your eating habits, diet and eat in a defecit. Just like any other weight loss method. Be it slimming world or low carb.

once you hit goal you need to maintain it. Just like any other weight loss method, if you go back to eating as you did, you will regain.

that’s how the human body works. It’s basically bloody biology. The drugs don’t melt the fat off, and it doesn’t magically return when you stop.

now like any other weight loss method, you can chose to stay on it for life or you can stop. Each one has a cost. Drugs it’s a financial cost. Slimming world it’s a mental health one, I mean who the fuck wants to do that for life. Low carb the same. There is always a price to pay to maintain. A life of feeling deprived or pay for meds, the drugs don’t work when you don’t take them. Slimming world doesn’t work when you stop it.

it’s mind boggling some people still seem to think there is some mythical magical element to losing weight on these meds.

The point is WLIs are expensive to users. The impact of excess weight costs the NHS millions. They should be significantly subsidised so people who want to take charge of their weight can do so without going into debt surely.

Surely making huge savings not buying loads of takeaways and crap?

Slightly off topic but I pay £80 a month for 4 reformer classes so this sounds like a good deal!

Not all obese people eat takeaways and crap. I didn't, just ate larger quantities of all the good food I cook and added sugary/carby snacks. My 'savings' on the food I don't eat on Mounjaro have been wiped out by the added protein powder and bars that I now buy to make sure I meet my goals as a vegan.

You think it would be better to spend the money on therapy to convince ourselves that it's fine to be obese rather than medication to not be obese any longer? Huh?

I need to know who this is! I’d pay this for mine. I pay £580ish for 2 months supply from the pharmacy I order mine from.

im not going into debt for it, my grocery bill has reduced and I’ve made health improvements so for me it’s worth it. If we couldn’t afford it as a family I’d take what I’ve learned and go it alone but for now I’ll pay for it until I’m where I need to be.

You have chosen to add protein powder and bars in to diet. Not necessary if you cooked sufficient protein food.

So you could save if you wanted to… given you’ve cut out snacks and reduced portions.

I imagine the majority are saving money from not having multiple takeaways etc