I lost 3 stone on Mounjaro – I'm no longer the ‘fat, funny friend' but there's a downside that's so bad it wakes me up
But although Jess now feels 'healthier' and 'lighter' since using the injections, slimming down hasn't been without its unfortunate consequences.
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Posting on social media, the brunette beauty, who still has another three stone to lose to reach her goal weight, explained that she has been experiencing a fat jab side effect that's so bad it wakes her up every night.
In a short clip shared online, Jess, who is from the UK, begged for ' tips, advice and recommendations,' as she opened up on the 'strange' side effect.
She admitted: 'I've woken up every night this week at either 1am, 2am or 3am, with really bad acid reflux, feeling sick and sulfur burps.
'They've been so bad - this morning I was surprised the one I did at 3am didn't wake the neighbours up.'
Confused by the side effect, the content creator, who has stopped comfort eating, binge eating and no longer thinks about food 24/7 since using the fat jabs, added: 'I've been on Monjaro now for over two months and I don't know why I'm just starting to get it.
'In the day I'm fine, I don't know if it's when I'm laying down I'm getting it worse, but I'm doing everything right, I'm taking everything, I'm drinking enough water, eating gut friendly foods.'
Despite the unfortunate eggy burps, Jess, shared before and after snaps showing off her epic weight loss.
Since using Mounjaro, which is regarded by some as the King Kong of weight loss jabs, Jess confirmed that she is 'feeling so much better in so many ways."
Not only is she now 'not as camera shy' but her 'smile is returning' too.
But Jess, who no longer snacks and doesn't feel the urge to finish a whole plate just because it's there, also revealed another thing she sees as somewhat of a negative since slimming down, as she wrote: 'No longer the funny, fat friend.'
Sun Health Explainer: Fat jabs
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ jess_yjx, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 567,100 views, 15,900 likes and 377 comments.
Social media users were gobsmacked by Jess' weight loss transformation and many eagerly rushed to the comments to express this.
One user beamed: 'Wow you look amazing!! Well done.'
A second wrote: 'It's crazy how just 3 stone can make you look so different!
"You look amazing and best of all your smile is coming back.'
Someone else gushed: 'Love this! You're stunning.'
Whilst one woman gasped: 'Wow what a different girl!!!'
More Mounjaro side effects
However, not only this, but other Mounjaro users were keen to reveal the side effects they have experienced since using fat jabs.
One person said: 'I have three strands of hair on my head because all my hair fell out.'
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Another added: 'I haven't moved off the sofa all day. I'm ILL. I'm on my third week so I don't know where it's all come from.'
A third commented: 'I get the sulfur burps at night, it's grim!'
Meanwhile, someone else shared: 'Can't seem to eat anything and keep feeling sick constantly.'
The reality of Mounjaro
Although many have boasted about weight loss success since using Mounjaro, last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of Mounjaro over a fortnight.
A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs.
The common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration.
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas.
Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said she had a seizure after taking high doses of Ozempic.
The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its 'top priority'.
Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data.
'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.'
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