How Michelle Lost 38kg and Reversed Her Pre-Diabetes
Michelle, 58, from Bristol, has been making incredible progress on her weight loss journey. With the support of Oviva’s Tier 3 weight management programme and Wegovy, she’s lost 38kg – and she’s feeling so much healthier already!
Want to see if Oviva could help you on your weight loss journey?
How It All Started
When my doctor first recommended Oviva to me, I was in a desperate place. At 58, I had arthritis so severe I could barely walk. I also have a lung condition that made every breath feel like a struggle. My weight was making my health issues worse, and I felt completely trapped.
It felt like my life had shrunk down to nothing. I didn’t go out. I didn’t socialise. I was extremely overweight and I was really depressed. I literally couldn’t walk to the end of the road and the thought of simply taking a leisurely outdoors walk with my family seemed impossible. So when my doctor suggested the Oviva Tier 3 Weight Management Programme, I really knew something had to change.
“Deep down, I wanted to get back to my old self”
I’ll be honest – it hasn’t all been plain sailing. When I first received Wegovy, I was really anxious about the side effects and I did end up experiencing most of them. However, I’ve managed to learn my body and I know which foods are triggers. I created a food diary to find out what affected me and what didn’t. Now, nearly a year on, I know what works for me. I know what foods I need to leave alone when I go up a dose. It’s taken a good 8-9 months for me to learn what I need to avoid, but as long as I do that, I’m okay.
The Oviva app has been brilliant. I was really anxious about taking the medication at first, but the app was so helpful when it came to giving me guidance on how to administer it. Now I use the app every day – I take pictures of the food I’m eating and find the pointers really helpful. I also love how I can check in with the health coaches. This comprehensive approach was exactly what I needed. I’d struggled with my health and my weight for so long, but nothing felt as complete as this.
I’ve lost 6 stone since March 2025. But the weight loss is just the beginning of the story.
It’s now been nearly a year, and the transformation is beyond what I could have imagined
I also used to be pre-diabetic, but I found out in January 2026 that I’m no longer in that category. My arthritis, which once meant I could barely walk, has changed dramatically. Now that I’ve lost the weight, I’m also able to manage the harsher symptoms of my lung condition.
The biggest difference? My confidence and the health benefits. I can go walking with my family. I can do things and integrate with society, socialising again. I literally couldn’t walk to the end of the road before, but now I can go out and enjoy the outside with my family.
My mental wellbeing has significantly changed. My lifestyle has changed.
I would say I was depressed before, and now I have much better days overall. That’s the thing nobody tells you about weight loss – it’s not just about the number on the scales. It’s about getting your life back. It’s about being able to participate in the world again.
I feel really excited about the future. This isn’t just about reaching a target weight – it’s about sustainable change. I feel extremely excited to continue on the programme. The multidisciplinary approach means I’m not just losing weight; I’m building habits, understanding my body, and creating a lifestyle that I can maintain.
I’m rediscovering my life, feeling confident in my choices, and most importantly, I feel like I’m becoming my old self again, but better. I can walk with my family, I can socialise, I can live. A year ago, I couldn’t walk to the end of the road. Now? I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.
Ready to start your weight loss journey?
If you have a BMI of 35 or higher with a weight-related health condition, you may qualify for Oviva’s NHS-funded weight management programme, which includes:
- A personalised, science-backed plan tailored to your goals
- Remote, ongoing support from doctors, dietitians, and health coaches – all from the comfort of home
- A simple, easy-to-use app to track meals, goals, and progress
- Potential access to NHS-covered weight loss medication, delivered straight to your door
Eligibility criteria varies depending on your location in England.
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Success stories -
Success stories -
Success stories