I have a BMI of 27 and want to lose 15 pounds on a GLP-1. Is this morally defensible?
So I’ve been reading this forum for a few weeks and I’m feeling really conflicted. My BMI is 27, which technically makes me overweight but not obese. I want to lose about 15 pounds to get back to where I was before the pandemic. My doctor was actually pretty willing to prescribe Wegovy but made a comment about supply issues and I left the appointment feeling kind of guilty?
Like on one hand, I’m technically in the approved range for these medications. But on the other hand, I keep seeing posts from people with way more weight to lose who can’t get their prescriptions filled. I also saw something on Twitter about how people using these drugs for vanity reasons are taking them away from diabetics.
But then I think… if my doctor prescribed it, isn’t it okay? I’m also worried about my health trajectory because both my parents are diabetic and I feel like I’m heading that direction. Is wanting to lose 15 pounds a legitimate medical reason or am I part of the problem? Has anyone else dealt with this guilt?
I think you need to separate the supply chain issues from your personal health decisions. The shortage isn’t YOUR fault – it’s on the manufacturers and honestly the insurance companies too. If your doctor prescribed it and you meet the criteria, you have every right to use it. BMI of 27 with family history of diabetes is actually a pretty textbook case for preventive intervention imo. My endo told me that catching metabolic issues early is way more effective than waiting until you’re dealing with full blown T2D. Don’t let social media guilt you out of taking care of yourself.
I hear what Mike is saying but I also understand your hesitation. I started at BMI 31 and even I felt weird about it at first. What helped me was reframing it – these medications aren’t just weight loss drugs, they’re metabolic health tools. If you have a family history of diabetes, you’re being proactive about your health. That said, maybe talk to your doctor about whether you could start with lifestyle changes first? Not saying you SHOULD, but it might help with the guilt if you feel like you tried other things. Ultimately though this is between you and your doctor, not you and random people on Twitter who don’t know your full medical history.