The continuing negative press surrounding semaglutide continues.
And I really want to talk about it.
Why?
Media fear-mongering around this medication is trendy. Unfortunately, it can be one more reason for patients to be hesitant to seek healthcare for obesity.
What should you know if articles like this are making you hesitant?
1. As a patient, you should expect a standard of care if you are being prescribed these medications, either ongoing care by your own GP or an expert physician/ team experienced in obesity as a disease (someone you have actually met). A pill-mill that has you check boxes on a form before popping it in the post is not standard of care for the complex disease of obesity. Ongoing relationship with a team means if you aren’t happy, you let them know and work together to change the plan.
2. There is no need to be miserable on a weight loss journey. You don’t have to do things you don’t want. You don’t have to eat what you don’t want. You don’t have to deprive yourself of joy. Changes are usually needed, but find a physician and team that helps you stay joyful on the journey.
3. What’s important to you? A patient’s goals of care: continue golfing, get back to a hobby, reduce risk of heart disease, be there for their grandchild. And yes, even self-described “foodies” — these matter when making a plan.
4. While semaglutide gets a bad reputation, it’s worth remembering that many patients find it just fine. Their story is not necessarily your story. The drug also comes in different forms and doses.
5. The article included the awful phrase “skinny jabs”. The use of these medications should never, ever be for aesthetic or cosmetic use. Weight is not beauty. Every body is beautiful. When weight impacts health, it should be treated like the complex disease it is with expert and patient-centred care.
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