Weight loss has always been an odd up-and-down challenge for me, but after having my son, Remy, in 2023, it became an urgent necessity. My pregnancy was classified as high-risk and ended with an emergency C-section (read more here). I then experienced severe postpartum complications, including necrotizing fasciitis, a life-threatening infection that led to sepsis. I nearly died. The road to recovery included multiple surgeries, a long hospital stay, and an exhausting healing process. On top of everything, I was laid off from my job while still on maternity leave.
By the time I was physically able to focus on my health, I weighed 300 pounds. At my heaviest, even during pregnancy, I had hit 340 pounds. My body had endured so much trauma, and I knew I needed help. That’s when I turned to Zepbound, a GLP-1 medication designed to support weight loss. I had heard promising stories from others, and after discussing it with my doctor, I decided it was the right step. I needed to lose weight in order to qualify for surgery to repair an incisional hernia caused by the C-section and the follow-up procedures.
Starting Zepbound: The First Weeks
When I took my first dose, I was nervous but hopeful. I wondered if it would work… if I’d be overwhelmed by side effects… I also constantly worried I was injecting it incorrectly. Having never used an injectable medication before, I spent a lot of time rereading instructions and psyching myself up before finally managing to inject it into my thigh.
At first, I did experience some nausea and fatigue, but it was manageable. The most immediate effect was a shift in my relationship with food. I wasn’t thinking about eating all the time anymore. I could eat a normal portion and actually feel full, which had always been a struggle for me.
Progress and Challenges
Now, a year into my journey, I’m down to 240 pounds (100 pounds lost from my pregnancy weight). The scale is moving in the right direction, but more importantly, I usually feel better. My energy levels are higher, my clothes are noticeably loose, and I feel more in control of my body. I still deal with pain from the hernia and have lingering feelings about my scars. My doctors say the discomfort could be from nerve damage or excess scar tissue that might or might not resolve over time.
There have been bumps along the way. Sometimes I take a few weeks off the medication so I can have a drink or enjoy a greasy meal without getting sick. Even during those breaks, the constant mental chatter about food, the “food noise”, has gone quiet. That alone has been life-changing. I’ve had to make an effort to eat enough protein, adjust to a new eating pattern, and deal with occasional nausea. But the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, and injecting myself now takes just a moment.
One of my biggest goals is to get the hernia repaired, but my doctors will not consider surgery until I reach a healthier weight. I’m aiming for a BMI under 40, even though I know BMI as a metric has its flaws. Still, it’s what the doctors use. Every pound lost gets me closer to that surgery and to feeling whole again. More than anything, I want to be healthy for Remy. He deserves a mom who can keep up with him, who is not constantly in pain or physically limited.
Looking Ahead
Zepbound is not a miracle cure. It’s a tool. I still have to do the work, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like I actually have a chance. If you’re considering a similar path, know that you are not alone. Weight loss after trauma is complex, but with the right support, healing is possible.
I’ve also had honest conversations with my nutritionist, who prescribes my Zepbound, about what comes next. I do not want to inject myself forever, but I know that keeping the weight off is crucial. If I gain it back, even after the hernia is repaired, it could come back again. One option we’ve discussed is gastric bypass surgery (after I’ve healed from the hernia repair) because the affected intestine involved with bypass surgery is currently pushing through the hole in my abdominal wall. I’m not mentally ready for another surgery right now, but it might make sense in the long run. It could give me lasting results and help ensure I won’t need to stay on Zepbound for life.
Plus, let’s be real. Even with insurance, Zepbound is expensive. I don’t have diabetes, so I pay $500 for four injector pens. That is a lot of money!
I’ll continue to share my story, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. If anything I’ve written resonates with you, or if you’re curious about Zepbound, let’s talk. We’re all in this together!