Insiders’ methods to turbocharge fats jabs in 5 simple steps: DR PHILIPPA KAYE reveals the precise weight loss plan complement, a part of the physique you MUST inject and the way ‘leapfrogging’ between medication may velocity up weight reduction

Weight-loss injections are some of the most revolutionary medicines in modern times – but they are not perfect.

More than 2.5million Britons now take Mounjaro and Wegovy, which can help obese patients lose as much as a fifth of their body weight in a year.

The data shows that the majority of these patients are women who pay for the appetite-suppressing jabs through private clinics. For any woman above a certain age this will hardly come as a shock – we are all too familiar with the pressure to remain thin, even as the demands of mid-life accumulate.

For patients, these drugs can be life-changing, allowing them to lose more weight than they ever thought possible. 

First there are all the health benefits that come with losing weight, including a lower risk of many forms of cancer, heart disease and dementia. 

And then there are the mental health benefits for people who have lived with obesity with all the shame and stigma associated with the condition.

It’s for all these reasons that, when weight-loss drugs stop working, many feel devastated. This phenomenon, known as the weight-loss plateau, affects many Mounjaro and Wegovy patients – typically after a few months of treatment.

At this point, patients have often reached the maximum dose (which is slowly increased over time), meaning that it can feel as though there is nothing else they can do to kick-start the weight-loss again.

It’s very common that women feel like they have ’failed’ in their weight-loss journey – and even worry that they might begin putting the pounds back on.

Of course, it is important to remember that losing any percentage of body weight will have a massively positive impact on long-term health and is likely to extend patients’ lives.

Moreover, the sort of weight loss that many patients now consider a failure, such as ’only’ 10 per cent, was often unthinkable before the arrival of these drugs.

However, there is good news for anyone going through this difficult experience. As I explain to my patients who come to me with this issue, there are some simple steps that can help.

Switch up the injection spot to give the jabs a boost

Most weight-loss jab patients tend to inject themselves in the same spot – but it’s possible that rotating the location could help them get over a plateau.

These are not simple medicines. For one, they have to be stored in a fridge and used within their expiration date. Leaving the jabs out of the fridge for too long before starting them or taking them after they have expired may well impact their effectiveness.

Likewise, weight-loss drugs need to be injected into the correct part of the body. They need to go into the skin, rather than the muscle, to have an effect.

This is why the companies that make them recommend injecting into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm (when given by another person).

Studies show that the effectiveness of the medication appears consistent across all of these sites. However, anecdotally some of my patients find that they notice a greater impact on their appetite when they inject in one part of the body than another.

Moreover, repeated injections tend to thicken the skin. For this reason, patients should remember to rotate the area they inject – for example, changing the specific location on the abdomen.

One reason to do this is that it avoids irritating the skin, but this thickened skin likely also stops the body from absorbing as much of the medicine, weakening its effect.

Eat plenty of this crucial nutrient to get weight down

Eating a diet high in fibre could be crucial in overcoming the plateau. 

These drugs work by reducing the appetite and slowing the stomach down, so that patients feel fuller for longer and eat less. But it is still possible to eat more than you might think while on them.

For one, while many patients may eat smaller portions, they may continue to consume calorie-heavy food and drink. 

I have had a Mounjaro patient tell me that they still eat chocolate digestives for breakfast, just fewer than before.

I also regularly hear from weight-loss drug users who say they graze on snacks throughout the day. 

However, it is also important that those on Mounjaro and Wegovy make sure to eat enough fibre.

Fibre is a form of carbohydrate found in fruits, vegetables nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. 

Studies have shown it can help with stomach problems, regulate blood sugar levels and even reduce the risk of bowel cancer. But there is also good evidence that a fibre-rich diet can help further suppress appetite and avoid overeating and snacking.

Despite this, nine in ten Britons fail to get enough the recommended 30 grams of fibre a day. And a 2025 study, looking at diabetes patients on the jabs, found that none of them were consuming enough fibre.

Switching jab could get patients over the hump

Mounjaro may be the more effective injection on paper – but some patients report that switching to the less-powerful Wegovy can help them beat the plateau.

Of the two, Wegovy has been around the longest and has the strongest evidence to support its use. There is very strong data now that shows it markedly improves heart health in a way that Mounjaro may not. It is also the cheaper option.

However, it is undeniable that Mounjaro, on average, leads to greater weight loss. The injection, also known as tirzepatide, typically leads to around a 21 per cent loss in body weight, while Wegovy, or semaglutide, leads only to a 15 per cent reduction.

This is why Wegovy patients who reach their weight-loss plateau often consider switching to Mounjaro.

However, I’ve also heard from patients who say that switching from Mounjaro to Wegovy can also have a positive effect. This may be more down to psychology than anything else.

When patients switch their weight-loss drug, they have to begin on the lowest dose again, which is slowly increased. This might give patients the sensation of a fresh start – as they will briefly lose their appetite-suppression before it kicks back in again as the dose is built up.

Of course, it’s important that patients continue to eat sensibly and get plenty of exercise during this switch-over period to avoid weight-regain.

Stubborn weight could be down to an undiagnosed condition

There are a number of medical reasons why patients – particularly women – struggle to lose weight on the jabs.

One of the most common of these is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that can cause weight gain, irregular periods and fertility problems.

Anyone who suffers with these symptoms should talk to their GP who, if necessary, can order blood tests and scans to look for signs of the condition. There are a number of treatments, including the tablet metformin, which helps regular blood sugar levels and could boost weight loss.

Stubborn weight may also be due to a condition called hypothyroidism. This is where the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped organ in the neck, does not produce enough crucial hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, low mood and weight gain.

Hypothyroidism can also be diagnosed with a blood test carried out by a GP. Treatment is fairly straightforward too – a daily tablet called levothyroxine that replaces the lost hormones.

It’s important to consider whether the weight-loss plateau could be due to prescription medicines.

In particular, antidepressants, steroids and antipsychotics are all known to trigger weight gain or, crucially, inhibit weight loss.

And while most people currently taking weight-loss drugs pay for them privately, they can still speak to their NHS GP about any of these issues.