What are injections for weight loss?
Weight loss injections are glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications. They come in a few different varieties, such as semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). These medications were initially used to treat type 2 diabetes but are now being used at a higher dose to facilitate weight loss, which is a side effect of the medication. The effect of the medication on your appetite and digestion causes you to eat less food, which leads to you losing weight. It’s the same approach as traditional dieting (eat less to lose weight), it’s just that the medication makes it easier to eat less.
Can I work with you if I’m using a weight loss injection?
Yes, we work with clients who are using weight loss injections. We believe that our clients have the right to make decisions about their health that feel right for them, and we don’t judge our clients on the choices they make. We don’t promote weight loss, but if you want to use a weight loss injectable, we care about you doing that that as safely as possible. Using weight loss injections can negatively impact physical and mental wellbeing, so we work with you to minimise the risk of negative health consequences as much as possible.
During your sessions, your dietitian will talk with you about:
- Your relationship with food and eating.
- How you feel about your body weight and shape.
- Your reasons for using the medication and what your goals are.
- Ways you can work on your goals directly, separate to losing weight.
- Your energy and nutrition needs, including nutrition supplements you might require.
- Eating regularly and eating a variety of nourishing foods.
- Eating more freely, without food rules.
- Managing symptoms of the medication.
- Planning ahead for when you stop the medication.
Important things to consider
It’s important that you have the information you need to make a decision about whether using a weight loss injection is right for you.
Side effects
Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, reflux (heartburn).
Less common, but serious, side effects: Gallstones, pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), kidney issues, gastroparesis (stomach muscles not working properly), thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer, aspiration (food or liquid getting into your lungs) while under anaesthesia, thoughts of suicide.
Malnutrition
If you’re eating less food than you usually would, you might not be getting enough nutrition meet your body’s needs, which can lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition can cause muscle loss and weakness, fatigue, weakened immunity and frequent infections, poor wound healing, hair and skin changes, hormonal disruption, and reduced bone strength (increasing the risk of fractures). Malnutrition can also impair concentration and memory, lower mood, increase anxiety and irritability, disrupt sleep, and reduce resilience to stress.
Eating disorders
Dieting (eating less to lose weight) is the biggest risk factor for developing an eating disorder. Eating disorders don’t discriminate: people of all ages, genders, body sizes, and cultural backgrounds can develop an eating disorder. Dieting can also trigger a relapse in someone who previously experienced an eating disorder. If you or someone you know needs support with an eating disorder, you can call the Butterfly helpline on 1800 ED HOPE or chat to them online.
Weight regain
Research shows that most people stop using GLP-1 medication within 12 months of starting it. When people stop using the medication, their appetite comes back and it becomes a lot harder to restrict their eating in the same way, so food intake increases. Eating more food, coupled with a slower metabolism due to losing weight, results in people regaining weight. Most people will have regained all the weight they lost within 2 years of stopping the medication.