How exactly do WLIs work?

[HurdyGurdy19]

I can't work out how they cause you to lose weight and would welcome any insights please.

I have requested a telephone appointment with my GP to discuss the implications of starting them, as I'm not sure I'm a good candidate, plus I take quite a few medications for rheumatoid arthritis and want to be sure that any WLI wouldn't interfere with those.

I'd like to be a bit more informed when I have the appointment.

I'm reading a lot about "food noise" but don't really understand what this actually means. I don't think I experience this - I'm not constantly thinking about what I'm going to eat next, or thinking about the next meal time. Food doesn't occupy too much of my mind.

I've been calorie counting since September, and it's working. It's just not working quickly enough for my liking.

My aim is to have breast reduction/uplift surgery this year and I need my BMI to be much much lower than it is, from what I've read online, to be considered for it (it's currently 36.6, down from 40.9 in September). I would like to have this done in March/April time, so need to lose a lot of weight (probably 4-5 stone) by then, but I don't know if that is realistic. (I am also resigned to the fact that I will likely need surgery to remove/tighten loose stomach skin.)

So if I don't suffer with "food noise" (whatever that is) then would WLIs work for me? I really only want to be taking them for a limited time - I definitely wouldn't be interested if it was a lifelong commitment. What else would WLIs do for me, if they're not quietening this food noise?

And how is your dose decided? Is it by the provider, or do you choose your own dose - and if so, what criteria do you use?

What have you read? I would just google ‘how do WLI work’ as it’ll give you the accurate overview.

1. they mimic the glp1 hormone which tells your brain you’re full.
2. they slow down your digestion so you feel fuller for longer
3. They help regulate your blood sugar, to prevent cravings based on energy swings

I’ve been on mj for 16 months now. Best decision ever. For me my issue was not about portion control but about the snacking and just wanting sugary stuff all the time. It is not healthy to lose 4-5st in the space of 2-3 months, you risk side effects like gallstones with rapid weightloss, so a healthier range would be anything from 1-4lb a week but really 1-2lb is more realistic.

Also for surgery some recommend losing weight and maintaining it for a length of time first.

It sounds like you’ve done amazing so far and it might be you don’t need a glp1. I have nothing bad to say about my experience. I’ve reduced my bmi from 31 to 19. I run daily now, I gave up all fizzy juice, my blood pressure has reduced, fibromyalgia hasn’t flared up once and i’ve have no ibs attacks. Happy to answer any questions.

GLP1 is a hormone that regulates satiety/appetite. Like with many other conditions some people may not produce enough for them to control their food intake properly so these drugs help do that and level the playing field for them to eat better.

Thank you for your responses.

I will give it some serious thought. I wasn't wholly into the idea of using them, but I am really desperate to see some significant losses, and reading threads in here where people have lost huge amounts did make me wonder if it was an option for me.

I think I'm just being too impatient!

This is an excellent video.
It is approx an hour long, make yourself a cuppie, watch and learn.
It is all evidence based.

They make it easier for you to eat less. What’s stopping you now eating 500 cals less per day?

It’s not healthy to lose more than 1kg/2lbs a week.

Thank you for that.

He really explained it well, and I understood and followed a good 85% of it.

It's very simple. They stop you feeling hungry so it's much easier not to eat much. Thus you lose weight.

@willowsmum81 Thank you for the inspiration- just what I need.

@HurdyGurdy19 You might find a fairly low dose tweaks your appetite so you slightly reduce your intake but my instinct is the same re losing several stone very rapidly. It sounds like it would be a big strain on your body and not an ideal preparation for surgery.

I think the 'food noise' question is something you won't know without feeling whether there is a difference for you on and off WLI. It might not be a thing for you at all. I'm struggling to think of a sensible analogy. Imagine you had a mild niggling pain you always ignored then sprained your ankle and got prescribed an anti inflammatory. You might suddenly notice your left hand doesn't hurt any more and you can turn a tap easily and realise you had been working round something really uncomfortable.

Well done on your huge success so far and good luck with whatever you decide.

(Ed typo)

Some arthritis drugs are contra indicated with the medication, when you do your online application for any pharmacy, as you will need to buy via private prescription you have to list the meds you’re on, if any are contra indicated they will reject and refund,

gps vary, some are very helpful and will discuss it, mine did. Others won’t get involved at all and tell you they can’t prescribe so they won’t discuss. Others are really ill informed and will put you off and tell you not to use them.

I’m lucky, my surgery is excellent, my doctor recommended them and they all went through training days on them, speak to the pharma reps, fully up to date on all trial data and take the postion we are their patients so they have a duty of care, as the goverment wishes them to do, but honestly there are some real horror stories out there where practices and individual doctors bring personal feeling and lack of awareness into their position

you can also google your drugs and if they are contra indicated, look at monj.co.uk for a list of pharmacies you can go through via private prescription, but as said, there are some arthritis meds which are contra indicated.

Hi op, I thought I'd answer, as I don't really get food noise either. I can go for hours, and hours without thinking about food, but then once I get very hungry, I eat too much too quickly. Also, I can get cravings, particularly at the times of day when I'm tired, so the mid afternoon slump, and in the evenings once the children are in bed.

I started MJ about 5 months ago, and it's been great. I've lost nearly 3 stone. I only have another half a stone to a stone to lose now. It sorted out my cravings, and helped me not to get so overwhelmed with hunger that I overdid it at mealtimes.

I have stayed on 2.5 mg the whole time. I do get very hungry these days, and can manage (if I let myself) to eat more again, but my success so far keeps me steady, and I still don't seem to get blood sugar highs and lows, so cravings are under control still. I'm hoping to remain on 2.5 until I'm ready to come off.

In terms of medication interactions, your local pharmacist would be your best bet. Docs prescribe but pharmacists are far more knowledgeable about drugs than GPs. By all means speak with your gp too though.

If you de ide to order, depending on your conditions and medications, you may be better choosing a GP led pharmacy like Pharmulous or Swift Dr. They're able to be more flexible and can actually talk with you about the pros and cons, possibilities, than the bigger pharmacies where often the computer says no, and that's that.

I personally think it's not great to want to lose weight that fast OP. The injection is an aid to losing weight and having time to embed good habits is likely to ensure long term success. Everyone I've seen who's lost really quickly has the tell tale saggy face too.