My Weight Loss Journey

I was never overweight as a child; I was slim and active. However, puberty brought rapid and substantial changes to my body, particularly in my breasts. Their sudden growth led to teasing, so I opted for baggy clothes to hide them, which only made me appear larger than I was.

By college, my parents and I decided that a breast reduction (mammoplasty) might be beneficial. At 19, I underwent this major surgery during Spring Break. The recovery was challenging—I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I might have returned to activity too soon, causing my stitches to tear and requiring daily visits to my plastic surgeon for months. Despite this, I hoped that once healed, I could lose weight and finally wear clothes that fit well and feel better about myself.

Adding to my weight loss struggles was a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) at 15, which complicates weight management due to hormonal imbalances. Despite my efforts to lose weight through various diets (South Beach, Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Keto, HCG) and exercises (gym, boot camps, barre, Zumba), I ended up gaining 50 pounds in the months following my surgery. Episodes of rapid weight gain happened periodically, were also triggered by other factors, like a course of steroids for an allergic reaction.

By 2020, I was disheartened and emotionally drained from trying and failing. My frustration grew as I saw others succeed where I struggled, making me feel like a failure despite my successes in every other area of my life.

Eventually, I discovered hyper-cortisolism and learned that I had many of the symptoms. Testing confirmed this condition, shedding light on another reason why weight loss was so incredibly difficult.

**A quick physiology lesson: Cortisol, a stress hormone, fluctuates daily and with life and stress. It is a necessary hormone, that when produced appropriately, can be beneficial. However, some people have benign adrenal tumors (and in more rare cases, on their pituitary gland) that continuously produce cortisol. Excessive production of cortisol leads to many changes in the body, but also hormonal imbalances with insulin and blood sugar.

I found out I had two such tumors, one on each adrenal gland. Additionally, I was diagnosed with diabetes, likely caused by prolonged high cortisol levels. I began taking Korlym, which blocks the effects of cortisol, and Mounjaro for diabetes. Starting Mounjaro at my highest weight—300 pounds—in March 2022 made a significant difference. It reduced my constant cravings and "food noise," allowing me to view food as fuel rather than a constant obsession. I felt more in control and satisfied with less.

As of August 2024, after over two years on this medication, I have lost 80 pounds and dropped 4-5 sizes. I feel lighter and more confident. No longer confined to elastic waistbands and baggy shirts, I now embrace a wardrobe that reflects my newfound self-assurance.

This journey has empowered me to open my own medical practice to help others facing similar struggles. My husband also began using Wegovy around the same time I started Mounjaro and has lost 50 pounds. Together, we both feel healthier and more positive about our futures.