A doctor has warned patients not to be disappointed if they don't see noticable changes after one month using weight loss injections.
With an estimated 1.6 million people in the UK accessing weight loss jabs, either on the NHS or through private pharmacies, the medication has become a game changer for people struggling to lose weight.
But has the volume of extreme 'before and after' photos flooding social media led to unrealistic expectations for people looking to begin taking Mounjaro or Wegovy?
This appears to have been the case with former Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith, with the 86-year-old recently revealing she'd given up on using the medication after she 'did not lose a single pound', branding the jabs a 'waste of money'.
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"I reckon I was eating 200 calories a day, which I didn’t realise. And what your body then does is it simply says, ‘this is starvation. I mustn’t let anything go’. I did not lose a single pound," she explained to PA.
"So I lost no weight, although for two weeks I was eating almost nothing."
But was the TV personality expecting to see results too soon? This is something which Dr Christina Hennessey, Chief Medical Officer at Boots Online Doctor, advises her patients against.
"Weight-loss treatment is not designed to deliver instant results," she explained. "So if you’re using these medicines and are not seeing an impact on your weight within this time, please do not worry."
"If you haven’t seen dramatic results after a few weeks, that doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment isn’t working," she added.
Dr Hennessey also cautioned patients against stopping their medication abruptly before first consulting with a healthcare professional. "If you feel unwell or aren’t seeing results, don't stop your treatment immediately — it’s always
best to speak to your clinician first," she said.
"In some cases, a medication may not be the right fit, but that decision should be made safely and with guidance from a healthcare professional."
She also cautioned against 'rapid weight loss', saying 'gradual, steady weight loss is generally safer and more sustainable'.
"Treatment is a tool — not a magic solution," Dr Hennessey added. "Realistic expectations, supervision by a healthcare professional and healthy lifestyle habits remain central to long-term success."
How long can patients expect to wait before seeing results?
When it comes to noticing a change in your physique, it's important to understand that timelines will vary from person to person.
A breakdown from Everest Pharmacy notes that while patients may lose one to two kg of weight in the first month, it's usually the second and third months when result become visible.
For people who are struggling to notice changes after a longer period of time, Drugs.com recommends checking you're on the correct dose and making sure to implement lifestyle changes.
Brenna Cooper