Quick-fix slimming hacks continue to dominate social media feeds, often overshadowing safety concerns. From unverified fat-burning drinks to mystery shots, many people chase rapid weight loss without fully understanding the risks. A recent incident in China has now become a stark warning about the potentially life-threatening consequences of such shortcuts.

A Costly Purchase With Deadly Consequences

The case involves a 28-year-old woman from Suzhou, identified only as Chen, who bought a set of online “weight-loss injections” after hearing about them from a friend. According to the South China Morning Post, the friend claimed each shot could help shed at least 3.5 kg. Convinced by the promise, Chen paid 900 yuan (about Rs 11,500) for three injections.

Cautious yet curious, she injected only half of the suggested dose around her navel. Soon after, she began experiencing nausea, vomiting, and a sharp loss of appetite. Believing these to be normal side effects of weight loss treatments, she continued using the product.

Rapid Weight Loss Followed by Severe Medical Emergency

In the first three days, Chen reportedly lost nearly a kilogram per day, dropping 5 kg in just four days. But her condition deteriorated quickly. On the fourth day, she began vomiting green and yellow fluids, which doctors later identified as bile. Medical staff informed her that the lining of her stomach had already been severely damaged.

Her situation turned critical during an electrocardiogram. Chen suddenly vomited blood, revealing internal bleeding in her digestive tract. In her words, her pulse “had stopped,” and she was unaware of the emergency procedures carried out to save her. She later learned from her boyfriend that she had been close to receiving a critical-condition notice.

Doctors were able to stabilise her, but warned that her body suffered significant injury. She has been advised not to attempt pregnancy for at least a year.

Chen’s Statement

“In the first three days, I really did lose almost a kilogram a day. I lost 5kg in total over just four days,” Chen said.

However, her condition deteriorated rapidly. “On the fourth day, I started vomiting green and yellow fluids. At the hospital, they told me it was bile and I had already burned the lining of my stomach,” she recalled.

While undergoing an electrocardiogram, the situation became critical. “While lying down for an electrocardiogram, I suddenly vomited blood. My digestive tract was damaged and already bleeding.”

She added, “At that point, my pulse had stopped. I was not aware of anything: blood draws, emergency procedures and atrial fibrillation treatment. I only learned about it after regaining consciousness. My boyfriend told me I had come very close to receiving a critical condition notice.”

Illegal Semaglutide Sold as Cosmetic Slimming Shots

A subsequent investigation by China’s state broadcaster CCTV revealed alarming details. The trendy slimming injections being promoted across live-streaming platforms were unregulated products made in illegal workshops. Some of the manufacturers used forged or borrowed production licences to appear legitimate.

Authorities discovered that the injections contained illegally sourced semaglutide, a prescription drug used for type 2 diabetes and medically supervised weight management. The substance was repackaged and marketed as a cosmetic weight-loss solution, with each shot costing as little as four yuan to produce.

The case has since sparked widespread discussion in China, serving as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unverified health products circulating online.

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