Women share their bittersweet experience after taking weight-loss drugs

Women are sharing their experiences after using weight-loss drugs, and their stories are both uplifting and bittersweet. One woman named Branneisha Cooper felt a significant change in her life after losing weight. Before her weight loss, she often felt invisible when she was out with friends. While her friends received attention, she felt overlooked and scrutinized by others. Everyday situations became daunting for her, such as fitting into rides at amusement parks, exercising, and finding attractive clothing in her size. At the end of 2022, Branneisha, now 28 and working in Texas for a major retailer, began using a weight-loss injection called Mounjaro. She lost about six stone, which is approximately 38 kilograms. This transformation brought about rapid changes in her life. Suddenly, she could exercise without experiencing pain, her colleagues engaged in more small talk with her, and she felt comfortable going on adventurous dates with her boyfriend. Activities like go-karting, dancing, and visiting arcades, which once made her feel self-conscious, became enjoyable experiences. Branneisha described her weight loss as a 'second chance at life,' stating, 'It was almost like I had stepped into a different world overnight. ' She noticed that people were suddenly friendlier and more attentive, and she received respect and opportunities that were previously absent in her life. This dramatic shift opened her eyes to the deep-rooted size bias present in our culture. Although she remained the same person inside, the way others perceived her had completely changed. Another woman, Jess Phillips, who is 29 and works as a primary school teacher, shared her own journey. Before losing weight, she felt uncomfortable in various situations, such as flying on planes, using public transport, and dining in restaurants. She often worried about finding suitable seating and felt like she was taking up too much space. In fact, people had even shouted hurtful comments at her from cars. A trip to Sorrento, Italy, in 2023 served as a turning point for Jess, prompting her to start weight-loss injections last June. She recalled, 'Everyone was staring at me the whole time,' which made her feel very self-conscious. After losing weight, Jess noticed a significant change in how she was treated in public. She remarked, 'Strangers seem to be a lot more chatty with me than they ever were before. ' She expressed feeling 'more invisible in a nice way,' meaning she no longer felt like everyone was constantly watching her. This newfound sense of anonymity was refreshing for her. Jeannine A Gailey, a sociology professor, explored this phenomenon in her book, 'The Hyper(in)visible Fat Woman,' where she discusses how marginalized individuals, including those who are overweight, can experience both hyper-visibility and hyper-invisibility. Amy Toon, a 34-year-old content creator, shared similar feelings. Before starting the injections, she preferred shopping online due to her overwhelming fear of being looked at in public. Now, she feels more confident and has noticed that people are more likely to smile and make eye contact with her, which she never experienced before. This change is both strange and sad, as it highlights society's preconceived notions about how overweight individuals are treated. Caleb Luna, an assistant professor specializing in fat studies, explained that society has certain expectations for overweight individuals, often expecting them to hide and not take pride in their bodies. In many parts of the world, it is not illegal to discriminate based on size, unless the person's weight is classified as a disability. This bias can have significant implications, affecting everything from job interviews to interactions with healthcare professionals. People often make assumptions about others based on their body size, leading to negative experiences and feelings. While weight-loss drugs have helped women like Branneisha, Jess, Amy, and Alix lose weight, they are not suitable for everyone. Some healthcare professionals express concerns about the potential misuse of these injections, particularly among individuals who are already at a healthy weight or have a history of eating disorders. Common side effects of the drugs include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while rarer side effects can include gallstone disease and pancreatitis. Jonathan Pinkney, a professor of endocrinology, noted that while there is hope surrounding these drugs, trials indicate that many individuals tend to regain weight after stopping the injections, raising concerns about long-term sustainability. Alix expressed her worries about being treated differently again, saying, 'Am I going to be treated differently again? Because I like the way I'm currently being treated. ' Some individuals who take the medication also report feeling stigma attached to using these drugs for weight loss. Alix mentioned that some people view the use of weight-loss injections as 'cheating' or a 'socially unacceptable' method of losing weight. Amy echoed this sentiment, stating that many perceive it as the lazy way out. For sustained weight loss, the injections must be combined with a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise. Amy emphasized, 'People think that it's a magic wand, but it's not. ' Alix added, 'Even if you injected yourself once a week and a pound a week just evaporated from your body, what would that matter? ' This highlights the ongoing stigma surrounding both being overweight and using injections to lose weight. The women who have lost weight through these injections report a significant boost in self-confidence. Many feel happier taking public transport and wearing brighter colors. Some have become more vocal in sharing their opinions at work. Amy now enjoys taking her children swimming, while Jess is excited about booking her first-ever ski trip, something she never thought possible. However, many of the women we spoke to expressed sadness for their previous selves and frustration at the unfairness of their past treatment. Amy reflected, 'It's so sad that your weight can define you. ' She emphasized that her personality has not changed; only her appearance has. Branneisha echoed these sentiments, stating, 'It makes me sad when I have experiences that are different now because the larger me deserved that same attention and love. ' This illustrates that while weight loss can lead to positive changes, it also highlights the unfairness of how society treats individuals based on their size.