Weight loss jabs have become a significant part of daily life for over 1.5 million people in the UK, with their accessibility expanding as the government authorizes GPs to prescribe them. However, a growing chorus of medical professionals is raising critical warnings about the inherent risks associated with these popular medications, particularly concerning surgical procedures and long-term health complications.

Dr. Mo Akhavani, a London-based consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of The Plastic Surgery Group, has issued a stark warning regarding the dangers weight loss jab users face during surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia. He noted that approximately 80% of his patients are on some form of these jabs, yet about one in ten may forget to disclose this crucial information. The primary concern stems from the jab's effect of delaying gastric emptying, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia—a potentially deadly lung infection caused by inhaling stomach contents during surgery. Patients are typically advised to fast for at least six hours before surgery, but the jabs prolong this gastric emptying process, making the standard fasting period insufficient. Dr. Akhavani emphasized that it is 'very well recognised in the medical world' that patients should cease taking the jab two weeks or more before a scheduled surgery to mitigate this risk. His warnings are echoed by a California study that found weight loss jabs can increase the risk of aspiration during procedures like endoscopy by 33 percent, highlighting the devastating potential for respiratory failure, ICU admission, or even death from what is essentially 'choking to death'.

Beyond surgical complications, new research has highlighted potential risks to vision. Two independent US studies have linked GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, including semaglutide (found in Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (in Mounjaro), to an increased risk of sight-threatening eye conditions in individuals with type 2 diabetes. A Massachusetts-based team analyzed health records of over 185,000 patients and found a 'modestly increased risk' of diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by damage to retinal blood vessels that can lead to permanent sight loss if untreated. Despite this, their analysis noted fewer severe complications like blindness among those who already had the condition. A separate US research team, analyzing data from nearly 160,000 people, specifically identified an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)—a rare disorder causing sudden vision loss—and other optic nerve disorders in medicated patients, although they stressed the 'overall risk was low'. Both studies underscore the critical need for people with type 2 diabetes on these drugs to undergo regular eye checks.

The concerns extend to a range of other reported side effects and safety issues. While weight loss jabs can help users shed up to 20 percent of their body weight, side effects have been reported, ranging from hair loss, constipation, and extreme bloating, to more severe conditions like muscle wasting. The UK medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has logged 111 deaths linked to slimming jabs, though direct causation by the drugs has not been proven in these cases. However, the MHRA did launch a probe into the safety of these jabs after hundreds of Britons developed pancreatitis, leading to ten fatalities.

Despite these warnings, the demand for weight loss jabs continues to surge, prompting the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) to caution that the booming demand could become 'unsustainable'. A recent NPA poll revealed that a fifth of participants had sought weight loss treatments in the past year, with this figure rising to 35 percent among younger demographics (16-34). Official guidelines stipulate that these jabs should only be prescribed to patients with a BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related health problem, or those with a BMI of 30-34.9 meeting criteria for specialist weight management services.

In related developments, a new daily weight loss pill, orforglipron, shows promising results. In a final-stage trial, overweight participants without diabetes lost an average of 12.4 percent of their body weight over 72 weeks, also experiencing reductions in bad cholesterol, blood fats, and blood pressure. Manufacturer Lilly anticipates a broad global launch of this first-of-its-kind oral medication as early as next year.

As weight loss jabs become increasingly integrated into public health strategies, medical professionals urge heightened patient awareness and strict adherence to disclosure requirements, especially before surgeries. The ongoing scrutiny and emerging research highlight the critical importance of understanding both the benefits and the significant, sometimes life-threatening, risks associated with these powerful medications.