At 52, Kathryn Dean, a property agent from Dallas, Texas, found success in achieving long-term weight loss and preventing type-2 diabetes through the use of semaglutide and tirzepatide. After struggling with weight gain and a prediabetes diagnosis, Dean sought medical intervention to manage her condition and health.
Dean’s weight had increased from the age of 37, peaking at 79.8kg (176 pounds) by the time she was 46. Despite cutting out sugar, maintaining a vegetarian diet, and exercising regularly, she was unable to lose weight. Doctors attributed the issue to hormonal changes and age. She was diagnosed with prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to qualify as diabetes. This condition is often linked to being overweight and can progress to type-2 diabetes if untreated.
After learning about semaglutide, a drug used for type-2 diabetes and long-term weight management, Dean began her journey toward better health. In May 2023, she ordered the drug and lost 1.3kg (3 pounds) in the first month. Paired with a vitamin B12 supplement, semaglutide helped her control her appetite and metabolize fat, providing her with increased energy. Over eight months, she lost a total of 6.8kg.
Under medical guidance, Dean transitioned to tirzepatide, another FDA-approved drug used for weight loss and diabetes. Sold under the brand names Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for diabetes, tirzepatide led to an additional weight loss of 11.3kg. Now weighing 61.9kg, Dean is satisfied with her progress and no longer classified as prediabetic. Her cholesterol and triglyceride levels are back within normal ranges.
Despite side effects like nausea, Dean says the drugs were life-changing, and she feels healthier and more energized. Dr. Garrett Garner, an obstetrician specializing in women’s healthcare, advises that side effects can be managed through smaller meals, upright posture after eating, and a high-fiber diet. Weight maintenance on these drugs may involve switching to monthly injections once the goal weight is reached.
For those considering these treatments, Dean recommends incorporating protein into meals, staying hydrated, and maintaining regular exercise. She believes that anyone struggling with weight loss should give these medications a try, as they may offer life-changing results just like they did for her.
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