Diarrhoea & nausea are just par for the fat jab course but there’s a bizarre side effect that’ll make you think twice

NOWADAYS, many wouldn’t bat an eye at the thought of suffering from heartburn or diarrhoea if it meant losing a few pounds. These are well-documented side effects of blockbuster fat jabs like Mounjaro and Wegovy, and while unpleasant, they are fairly common. But now, there’s a much lesser-known side effect cropping up. Some two million Brits are now using weight loss jabs like Mounjaro and Wegovy Credit: Alones Creative ‘Ozempic foot’ is a lesser known side effect of weight loss injections Credit: Getty As some two million Brits are now using weight loss injections, some are reporting suffering from a phenomenon known as ‘Ozempic foot’. While fat jabs have been hailed as a breakthrough to tackle obesity, the rapid weight loss they cause can in turn lead to a painful condition. The phrase ‘Ozempic foot’ isn’t an official medical term yet but is used to describe those who experience pain or discomfort from rapid weight loss in their trotters. Mr Hasaneen Al Janabi, a doctor and founder and lead injector at Dr Hass Clinic, explains: “The pain experienced is usually from fat pad atrophy, where rapid weight loss thins out the protective fat cushions, reducing support between the bones and hard surfaces.” These fat cushions are on the soles of our feet and a reduction in fat means more pressure is put on people’s toes and the balls of their feet. “Our feet naturally contain specialised fatty tissue, particularly beneath the heel and forefoot, which helps cushion the bones and absorb forces when we stand and walk,” Dina Gohil, a podiatrist, explains. “With substantial overall weight loss, body composition can change throughout the body, and the feet are not necessarily exempt from this.” With less cushioning on the soles of your feet, it is possible that you may feel more pain or stress in certain areas. Sharon Osbourne has spoken openly about losing weight on Ozempic. She’s pictured here in 2019, with wrinkle-free feet before using the skinny jabs Credit: Getty Fans have said that Sharon’s feet look different after using fat jabs Credit: Instagram/sharonosbourne The term ‘Ozempic feet’ can also be used to refer to aesthetic changes in people’s feet. “This can include loose and saggy skin, tendons or veins becoming visible, prominent veins or soreness when walking,” Mr Janabi, known professionally as Dr Hass, says. “The sagging skin is usually caused by the skin’s natural elasticity, collagen, and elastin not always contracting fast enough to match the sudden decrease in volume from rapid weight loss.” Eagle-eyed fans observed last year that Sharon Osbourne’s weight loss journey with Ozempic – which she has spoken about openly – drastically changed the appearance of her feet. Both Dr Hass and Ms Gohil note, however, that fat jabs themselves don’t cause these changes in the feet, it’s the rapid weight loss they promote that can lead to issues. “Rapid weight loss can cause issues in many places due to volume loss,” Dr Hass adds. “I am definitely seeing an increase in patients coming to me with skin laxity and volume issues.” But Ms Gohil says that at the moment, there isn’t enough “robust data” to really say how common ‘Ozempic feet’ are. She acknowledges, however, that changes in people’s feet due to weight loss are not an unheard of phenomenon. “In clinical practice, podiatrists have long seen patients whose foot shape, shoe size, pressure distribution and cushioning change following significant changes in body weight. Meghan Trainor performing at LA Pride 2019, before her weight loss journey Credit: Getty After much speculation, Meghan Trainor has admitted she has used Mounjaro Credit: Getty “With GLP-1 medications now being used much more widely, it is reasonable that clinicians may increasingly encounter patients who have lost substantial amounts of weight while taking them. “But that does not establish the medication itself as the direct cause of a particular foot problem,” she stresses. So, what should you do if you have been struck down by this phenomenon? If you are experiencing discomfort in your foot, Ms Gohil stresses: “The first step should be [getting] a proper assessment rather than assuming the symptoms are due to loss of cushioning. “Foot pain has many possible causes, and persistent or new pain should be assessed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.” Here are five suggested ways to help alleviate your foot pain: Functional footwear Your choice of footwear plays a big role in how much support your feet receive Credit: Getty As a podiatrist, she advises that the first place to start is to assess your footwear. “A well-fitting shoe with appropriate cushioning and support can help redistribute pressure,” Ms Gohil says. “Depending on the individual’s biomechanics and symptoms, a podiatrist may also recommend insoles or bespoke orthoses to redistribute excessive pressure away from vulnerable areas. “If somebody has lost a significant amount of weight, it is also worth having their footwear reassessed. Their previous shoe size or fit may no longer be appropriate.” Exercise and nutrition Maintaining strength and eating well while using weight loss jabs is essential Credit: Getty Ms Gohil also emphasises the importance of maintaining strength during weight loss. “For the feet and lower limbs, exercises may include controlled calf raises, intrinsic foot-strengthening exercises and balance work, alongside an appropriate whole-body resistance-training programme. “However, exercise should be individualised. Someone who is already experiencing significant heel or forefoot pain should not simply begin intensive strengthening exercises without understanding what is causing the pain.” And Penny Weston, business and wellness leader, says you don’t need to spend hours exercising to see the benefits. “Even small, consistent movements throughout the day can make a real difference. “I love starting with a short walk of 10 to 15 minutes, which not only gets the blood flowing but also lifts my mood. “Ankle circles are another simple but effective exercise. You can do them sitting down, simply lift one foot and slowly rotate your ankle in both directions ten times, then switch legs. “Calf raises are also great for waking up the lower legs, stand tall, rise onto your tiptoes, and then lower slowly, repeating 10 to 15 times.” Ms Gohil also adds that “adequate nutrition, particularly sufficient protein, together with resistance exercise may also help preserve muscle loss during significant weight loss”. Cosmetic intervention Certain types of filler can be used in the feet, but experts have mixed opinions on this Credit: Getty Getting filler in your lips, jaw or even under your eyes is a well-known practice by now, but did you know you can also get filler in your feet? According to Ms Gohil, dermal filler can be injected into areas of the foot “in an attempt to provide additional cushioning, particularly beneath pressure points”. Nina Prisk, founder of Update Aesthetics, explains that dermal fillers – such as hyaluronic acid – can be “injected into an area to fill lines and wrinkles and add volume”. Dr Hass, on the other hand, recommends polynucleotide injections. He says they can “improve thin, dry [or] wrinkly skin on the feet by boosting hydration through moisture retention” and cellular regeneration, as well as “aiding tissue repair”. Ms Gohil, however, says she personally doesn’t recommend getting dermal filler in the feet. “The foot is a highly specialised weight-bearing structure. Injecting material into it is not equivalent to a cosmetic facial treatment and carries potential risks and complications. “Anyone experiencing pain that they believe is related to reduced cushioning should first have a full clinical assessment to establish the actual cause and consider conservative measures such as appropriate footwear, pressure redistribution and orthoses where indicated. “The key message I would emphasise is that people should not be frightened into thinking that taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication will inevitably damage their feet. “Significant weight loss can change the body, including the feet, but “Ozempic feet” is not currently an established medical diagnosis and more research is needed before a direct causal relationship can be claimed.”