North East Wales clinic warns of ‘cowboy’ businesses offering weight-loss injections as treatment demand surges

An esteemed clinician has called on people to seek proper medical care when exploring weight-loss injections.

Sara Cheeney, founder of award-winning Pure Perfection Clinic in Rossett, says “cowboy businesses” are giving the industry a bad name and are of significant risk to customers.

The renowned centre of excellence has seen a rise in patients requesting and undergoing the treatment, notably women with menopausal symptoms.

With media reporting the UK Government has suggested weight loss drugs could help obese people return to work and subsequently have a positive impact on the economy, there has been more interest than ever in the main products on the market, including Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Sara, from Llangollen, and her seven-strong team – which won three major awards in 2024, including Best Clinic Midlands and Wales at the national Aesthetics Awards – offer a strategic healthy and caring approach to weight loss

As well as prescribing the above medical products they offer free advice on nutrition and exercise as part of a detailed plan.

“It is absolutely vital if patients do want to pursue this course of action, they contact a legitimate medical practice and have a thorough consultation rather than seeking a quick-fix solution,” said Sara.

“We have seen and heard reports that some beauticians and online retailers are selling them alongside beauty products, which is completely wrong, so we hope people take heed and do their research.

“We have had people coming to us after buying them cheap online from fake clinics and cowboy operations, there is no after-care, nobody to talk them through the journey, it’s quite frightening and fraught with issues as often they are given a high dosage, or items that are not recognisable as the prescribed product without even being spoken to.”

She added: “While we are predominately an aesthetic skin clinic our focus is on health, wellness and self-care, and weight loss is a big part of that – the effect it has on both physical and mental wellbeing is huge.”

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are legal appetite-suppressants given as weekly injections that can be self-administered into the stomach, upper arm, or thigh following initial consultation with Pure Perfection Clinic.

“We don’t just hand out these products we walk the patient through the process, monitor their progress and create a structured plan, it’s about lifestyle and not just weight,” said Sara.

“Something we tell our patients who are looking to start a weight loss regime and are shopping around is that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, so please be careful and seek proper medical advice.

“The response has been incredible, from both men and women, who say it’s had a positive impact on them physically and improved their mental health.”

Among those to benefit from using the weight-loss is Emma George, from Wrexham, who has lost three stone ahead of her forthcoming wedding in February.

An aesthetician at the clinic, she said: “I wanted to lose weight responsibly, and this has worked wonders.

“I have a clear plan, the team here have held my hand throughout the process, and the injections are balanced with me eating healthily and maintaining regular exercise.

“As a result, I feel happier, healthier, and am in total control of my weight loss, I have peace of mind that I am on the right track and can look forward to my wedding with confidence.”