One patient’s weight loss journey

A remarkable weight loss journey: From overwhelm to empowerment

By Dr Bavna Kallan

When my patient first came to see me in March, her BMI was 50, and she felt completely lost about where to begin. She shared that she had struggled with her weight since childhood, and that it had taken a toll on her self-confidence and mental wellbeing. She wasn’t exercising, often relied on takeaway meals, and felt unsure how to make sustainable changes.

Together, we began building an individual plan focused on small, achievable steps. After her initial consultation, I started her on Mounjaro (Tirzapetide) and we looked closely at her diet, hydration and activity levels. Our first goals were simple: increasing her water intake, introducing gentle movement, and finding realistic ways to eat healthier.

One of her challenges was feeling embarrassed to exercise in front of her children. Through regular coaching and reassurance, she learned to overcome this barrier. Soon, she began involving her children in her health journey – cooking balanced meals together and even making mealtimes a fun family activity.

Drinking water was another hurdle. She admitted she ‘hated’ it at first, so we got creative – adding slices of lemon, berries or mint to make it more enjoyable. Little by little, these changes became part of her routine.

I have been seeing her every four weeks since that first consultation. Each month she has made steady progress – losing weight gradually, eating better, moving more and gaining confidence along the way. We set small goals at each appointment to keep her focused and motivated. If she ever faced a setback, we discussed it openly, learned from it and moved forward without judgement.

Today her BMI has reduced from 50 to 41 – What a huge change!

She has now joined a gym, something a few months ago she would not ever have dreamed of doing. She’s enjoying her workouts and feeling really proud of how far she’s come. Her clothes are now too big; we are currently working on building her confidence to go shopping for a new wardrobe – a milestone that reflects just how much her self-esteem has grown.

She is currently on Mounjaro 10mg and during our latest review she mentioned experiencing some food noise again. We’ve discussed this and created a plan to help her manage it.

Her journey is ongoing, but the progress so far has been remarkable. What stands out most is not just the physical transformation, but the shift in her mindset – from feeling stuck and self-critical to feeling capable, hopeful and in control.

For me, supporting patients through their weight loss journey is never just about numbers on the scale; It’s about empowering them to rebuild confidence, develop healthier habits and create a lifestyle that feels sustainable.