From Struggle to Strength: Danielle’s Journey with Medical Weight Loss at Main Line Health
For Danielle, weight loss had always felt like an uphill battle. Since her freshman year of college, she found herself stuck in a cycle of losing and regaining weight. Hitting 200 pounds was a turning point that left her feeling discouraged. By 2022, when she reached 282 pounds, she knew something had to change.
A conversation with a neighbor — who happened to be a patient at Main Line Health's Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center — sparked hope. Encouraged, Danielle asked her primary care physician for a referral. She initially canceled her first appointment in 2023 out of nerves. But a friend who had just started the program urged Danielle to get back on the waiting list. That decision changed everything.
The path to changing her life
In 2024, Danielle was connected with Deepti Thapar, MD, who immediately made her feel comfortable. "She gave me all the options," Danielle recalls. "I wasn't ready for surgery, but I had a goal — and she helped me find a path that felt right."
While her high-deductible insurance plan meant the co-pay varied throughout the year, Danielle saw the cost as an investment in her health, and it paid off. Her lymphedema and sleep apnea improved dramatically, with inflammation, pain, swelling and tightness relieved and sleep quality restored. "I wake up feeling so rested now!"
The journey wasn't easy. "Taking the medicine hit me like a bus at first," she says. "I was sore and had symptoms, but my body adjusted. It helped me make different choices." A self-described binge eater, Danielle found the medication helped curb nighttime cravings and improve her overall eating habits.
"Not having the constant food noise and inflammation is life changing," explains Danielle.
Support was key. Danielle meets with Dr. Thapar every three months, sees an exercise physiologist twice a year and checks in with a registered dietician quarterly. "They work with me on food I like and offer alternatives and exercise goals," she says. "It's personalized care. They truly listen."
She also made lifestyle changes: cutting out juice, soda and alcohol, drinking more water and being mindful of calorie intake. "The medication made me feel full, but it also helped me make better decisions." Now, she looks forward to eating healthy foods and checks protein and fiber content.
Results of strength and joy
As of December 2025, Danielle has lost 110 pounds (40% of her initial body weight). She also lowered her body mass index (BMI) to 30 from a starting BMI of 50. “I do have a little body dysmorphia,” Danielle said, “but I feel stronger and healthier.” She’s developed an active lifestyle she genuinely enjoys.
The Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center understands that weight loss isn’t just a physical transformation — it’s an emotional journey, too. The team offers psychological counseling to help patients navigate the mental and emotional challenges that can come with this process, including body dysmorphia.
Advice and motivation
Her advice to others? "Don't let the stigma stop you. If you take medication for other conditions like high cholesterol, why not for weight loss? It's not cheating; it's support." She emphasizes that you still need to put in the work — making changes in diet and exercise — but the medication is a powerful tool that helps you do so.
Danielle continues to manage her dosage carefully, opting for lower doses when possible and spacing out her medication. She's experienced minor side effects, including nausea, body aches and even gallbladder attacks due to rapid weight loss, but says it's all been worth it.
One of her favorite tools is the body pod at the office, which measures body fat and more. "It's super motivating," she says.
"And the team fights for you," describes Danielle. "I have all my doctors in one place, and they truly care."
She credits Dr. Thapar for helping her navigate insurance challenges and advocating for her every step of the way.
Next steps:
Call 484.476.6230 to start your weight loss journey.
Learn more about how Main Line Health's Comprehensive Weight and Wellness Center can provide customized support for you.
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