Who am I, and why am I here?

My name is Vikki, and four months ago, on Sunday 28th April 2024, I started taking Mounjaro to aid me with weight loss.

I have been overweight my entire life. I started as an overweight child, I was bullied relentlessly at school and it had a huge impact on me. All I ever wanted to be liked and have friends, and for me that just didn't happen until I reached secondary school. So I turned to food. Food brought me comfort when I was sad, and allowed me to feel better. In times of joy it was used as a celebration, a reward. So thus began a life time of eating the wrong things at the wrong times to try and make myself feel better.

I spoke to my GP in June 2023 and asked for a referral to Tier 3 Weight Management Services to help me lose weight, and unfortunately, after 12 months on the waiting list I was seen and told that as I was not diabetic, I was not eligible for any support with medication. I would either need to get worse, and develop diabetes - or I would need to pay privately for weight loss medication. The only option I could be offered would be a referral to Tier 4 Weight Management services, for a Gastric Bypass or something similar, however the waiting lists are long and criteria is strict.

I am 38 years old. My mobility is not great due to chronic pain, and I weighed 21st 4bs (299lbs) in April 2024. Today, 4 months into my journey, I have lost 50lbs and I weigh 17st 11lbs. This is the lowest weight I have achieved in over 5 years.