What happens when you stop weight loss jabs?

In this episode of The Guardian's podcast, the host interviews Amy Young, a 38-year-old career coach from Kent who shares her experience with weight loss injections such as Munjaro. After a period of stress and weight gain, Amy started taking Munjaro, leading to a significant weight loss of 3.5 stone (approximately 23 kg) over eight months. While on the medication, she noticed a reduction in hunger and altered eating habits, which contributed to her weight loss success. However, her journey took a turn when the cost of Munjaro increased dramatically due to adjustments made by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer, forcing her to choose between more expensive treatments or discontinuation. Ultimately, Amy decided to stop the medication, but she felt unprepared for the withdrawal and the lack of support during that transition.

The episode highlights the emotional and psychological challenges many individuals face when they come off weight loss drugs. Despite the apparent effectiveness of these drugs in promoting weight loss and their positive health implications, many users experience anxiety over potential weight regain and lack adequate guidance to develop sustainable eating habits post-treatment. The podcast emphasizes the need for a support system and better education for users of such medications, particularly in dealing with cravings and psychological issues surrounding food. It also raises concerns about the long-term implications of coming off these medications and the risk of reverting to unhealthy eating patterns.