My Journey Through Weightloss

July 12, 2018

Patient “A” Intro Bio

Hi!  I was asked by Dr. Liliya to share my weight loss experience.  I would love to share my experience as I definitely think that many could benefit from working with her. However, as I share, I would like to keep my privacy and perhaps one day, I’ll share my identity.  Not that it really matters, but it just makes me more comfortable.

So I’m about 40 years old, have two amazing kids and an adoring husband.  We have a lot of stress with our lifestyle as he works a lot of hours and I like most of you, juggle a job, kids and all around manager of the house.  I love my life and family but I need to love myself and I’m learning how to do that again.

I was diagnosed as a teen with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Blah! Other than irregular periods and the needs to occasionally was my upper lip, I didn’t really have much trouble with my PCOS until after kiddo #2. Suddenly, I was in my late 20s, two babies and things did not bounce back as I had hoped.  Months passed, I dieted, exercised and nothing really happened. I think during this time my insulin resistance started to show its ugly self.

I tried weight watchers, 5am boot camps, shakes and it all just felt like punishment. I would have some minor successes, but I have never obtained my target weight again.

In the last couple years we’ve had some major life changes and my attempts to eat well, were sidelined because it was just another stresser that I couldn’t seem to spend the mental energy on.  As a result, I gain another 50 lbs. It just happens so fast. About 3 years ago, I also developed High blood Pressure. It’s passed time that I get serious.

As a someone who deals with PCOS and insulin resistance, my metabolism moves as slow as a turtle on a lunch break. So I’m getting some help from Dr. Liliya.  This is my process… I hope you will gain some knowledge and encouragement.

Week 1

When I first met with Dr. Liliya, she did some blood test. I think she expected that I would at least be pre-diabetic. However, my cholesterol, A1C and whatever else she tested, actually came back fine. There were certain medicines I think she wanted to use to help me , but she could not justify them based on my blood work.

She did suggest a medication called Saxenda.  It is an injection that looks like an epipen that you slowly increase the dosage of weekly. Kind of odd but I chose to give it a chance.  She mentioned that she had one patient that lost 10 lbs in a week! Well, after my first week, I lost 2 lbs. No 10 pounds but I’ll take it.

Week 2

So, I lost another 2 pounds.  But I learned a hard lesson. I was at an outside event and nearly passed out.  I was seriously embarrassed. It wasn’t hot or anything. My blood sugar had dropped.  Saxenda works by sending signals to your body that you are not hungry. But guess what… you do need to eat!  I had also started a diuretic to help with my blood pressure which Dr. Liliya believes was a major factor. I was busy and just completely forgot that I did not eat dinner and then failed to eat breakfast because I was in a hurry. So eating is key! But I guess the medicine works. Ha!

Week3

You guys, Dr Liliya is wonderful.  She will treat you with kindness, respect and truly wants to help you succeed. But I have to learn to help myself as well.  I have to get back in the gym and I know it. I typically go 1-2 times a week, and that just isn’t enough. I’m supposed to increase the Saxenda dose each week. I have not increase until this week. I was a .6ml and I increased to 1.2 ml. Some days I sense a little nausea, but it goes away.  Usually the afternoon is when I have those snacky cravings, but I’ve noticed that I don’t have those anymore. I eat smaller portions as well. I lost maybe another 1-1.5 pounds.

Week 4-9

I have stayed on track with the Saxenda, but my journaling has not been great.  But I’m back! I have slowly increased my dose weekly all the way to a dose of 2.4ml.  I have steadily lost 1-2.5 pounds a week. Dr. Liliya wants me to lose 20% of my goal using the medication. Which I guess that would be 14 pounds.  I have done that, so not sure what is next. I still am not in the gym enough. The juggle of life is difficult. Maybe I’ll try early morning… ugh!

Week 10

I have not been to see Dr. Liliya but really need to get by there. I am out of medicine and I need to talk to her about what is next. I would love to find something else to replace the medicine to reduce my appetite. The crazy thing is, I have never thought of my self as an over eater. However, I have learned that women with PCO and insulin resistance only burn about 1,116 calories a day!  The average woman who doesn’t suffer from PCOS/Insulin resistance will burn approximately 1868 calories a day. So I may not feel like I’m eating much but my body just does not need much fuel.