(BPT) - At just 30 years old, Gabby weighed 299 pounds and was prediabetic. Due to her weight, she experienced hip and foot pain. She struggled to walk short distances, which made it difficult to keep up with her two young children.
Gabby tried a variety of weight loss methods, without results. She also found out that because of her past health issues, she was ineligible for prescription GLP-1 medications like Wegovy® or Zepbound® that have been in the news so much lately.
Fast forward to today: Gabby is now down 145 pounds, and she feels happier and healthier than ever before.
How did she do it? Gabby is one of many patients to attribute her success to the LifeMD Weight Management Program and its breakthrough oral treatment option: Triple Therapy.
"Losing weight has changed my entire life," she said. "It changed how I look. It changed how I feel. It changed everything about me."
How LifeMD supports weight management
LifeMD is an online telehealth company that aims to make quality health care as accessible and affordable as possible. It added Triple Therapy to its treatment offerings to serve patients who may not qualify for (or want to use) a GLP-1 medication as part of their weight loss journey. Triple Therapy consists of three oral medications - metformin, bupropion (the generic version of Wellbutrin®) and topiramate - combined in carefully selected doses to support healthy weight loss.
People on Triple Therapy start by taking three pills daily - with no needles, alcohol wipes or additional supplies needed. The treatment is generally less costly than prescription GLP-1 medication, making it an attractive option for patients on a budget.
Dr. Anthony Puopolo, President, LifeMD Affiliated P.C.s, helped develop Triple Therapy to give patients more avenues for success. He noted that GLP-1 medications are not suitable for patients with a history of pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer and/or gallstones. They also aren't ideal for certain patients with serious GI issues, although those patients' eligibility is decided on a case-by-case basis.
"GLP-1s are great for patients who qualify, but not everyone does," Puopolo said. "If you need to slim down, Triple Therapy is another incredible treatment option. It provides a clear and viable path to sustainable weight management."
How Triple Therapy makes a difference
Gabby said Triple Therapy helped her stop obsessing about food - an affliction commonly known as "food noise." She said it also made it easier for her to practice portion control. In her first month on treatment, she lost 10 pounds without making major changes to her diet. She began adjusting her eating habits, and the weight continued to come off.
After having had several disheartening experiences with past doctors, Gabby was encouraged by the support she received from her LifeMD care team. She said that Puopolo, who was her prescribing physician, was both compassionate and communicative. She and her doctor had virtual check-ins about once a month, and Gabby would send her care team messages any time she had a question or concern.
"There were people who said I couldn't [lose weight] and didn't believe in me, but the people at LifeMD did," Gabby said. "They're willing to work for you and fight for you."
Having that support, and Triple Therapy, made all the difference in the world for her. As more and more pounds came off, Gabby found she no longer needed to buy plus-size clothing. She began feeling more energized and light on her feet. For the first time ever, Gabby didn't need an afternoon nap to make it through the day - and best yet, she could now keep up with her young kids.
When Gabby lost 100 pounds, she made good on a promise to herself: She started running. On Thanksgiving Day of 2024, she ran her first 5K. She now jogs about three to four times a week.
"My hips don't hurt. My feet don't hurt. I can move," she said. "I went from being barely able to walk to being able to run a 5K."
Creating a healthier future
In addition to losing 145 pounds, Gabby is no longer prediabetic, and continues to see her health improve. Now she feels more confident, and realizes that her worth is not tied to the number on the scale.
Grateful for her newfound health, Gabby is paying it forward. Since starting her weight loss journey, she has become a health coach, drawing from her personal experience to inspire others. She hopes other people will see her story and give LifeMD a try. She lets people know that if GLP-1s aren't a viable treatment option, they may qualify for Triple Therapy.
"This is the best decision I've ever made," Gabby said about joining LifeMD's Weight Management Program. "It feels really good to lose this much weight, especially because I never thought I could."
Learn more about LifeMD and Triple Therapy here.
Disclaimer: Results not typical. Out of a population of 150 LifeMD patients, on average, patients on Triple Therapy lost 7 pounds within the first three months of treatment.
