Mum's Dramatic Weight Loss Journey Continues Despite Serious Mounjaro Complication
Emma McDonald, a 38-year-old mother from Oxford, has achieved a remarkable 8 stone weight loss through the prescription drug Mounjaro, despite experiencing a severe medical complication that required emergency gallbladder removal surgery. The content creator, who reached 21 stone and a size 24 before beginning treatment, maintains she has "no regrets" about her decision to continue with the medication.
From Weight Loss Success to Medical Emergency
Emma began her Mounjaro treatment in June 2024 after consulting her GP about her significant weight gain following the birth of her daughter in 2021. Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), she found traditional weight loss methods ineffective and turned to the injectable medication as a last resort. Within weeks, she noticed positive changes including the return of her regular menstrual cycle and steady weight reduction.
However, by August 2024, after losing approximately 2 stone and increasing her dosage to 7.5mg, Emma experienced what she initially believed was severe indigestion. "It went from stinging in my ribs to excruciating, indigestion-like pain," she recalled. "I used to stand underneath a hot shower until it passed."
Emergency Diagnosis and Surgical Intervention
Concerned by the intensity of her symptoms, Emma drove herself to Accident and Emergency where an ultrasound revealed a substantial gallstone blocking her bile duct. Medical professionals diagnosed her with cholecystitis, a serious inflammation of the gallbladder that, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications including sepsis, gangrene, and bowel perforation.
In October 2024, Emma underwent a cholecystectomy to completely remove her gallbladder. Subsequent biopsy results revealed the organ had been "rotting" inside her body. Remarkably, her surgeon encouraged her to continue with Mounjaro treatment throughout the surgical process to facilitate safer anaesthetic administration.
Rising Trend in Gallbladder Surgeries
Emma's experience coincides with concerning NHS England statistics showing gallbladder operations reaching their highest peak in a decade during the 2024-25 period. The data reveals a significant 15% increase in procedures, rising from 69,745 in 2023-24 to 80,196 in the following year.
Medical experts speaking to the BBC have suggested a potential link between this surge and the increasing prescription of weight loss injections like Mounjaro, which list gallstones as a known side effect. They emphasise that further research is necessary to fully understand this correlation.
Personal Transformation and Continued Treatment
Despite her challenging medical journey, Emma has continued with her 7.5mg Mounjaro dosage and now weighs 12 stone 9lbs, wearing a size 12. "I was told my gallbladder had gone rotten and Mounjaro was an exacerbating factor," she acknowledged. "But overall, I'm much healthier now so I don't have any regrets."
Her recovery from surgery presented its own challenges, including difficulty digesting certain foods and managing four abdominal incision sites. "I cracked on with the recovery period - it was painful," she admitted. "I've been finding meat really hard to digest since the operation."
Raising Awareness for Women's Health
Emma is now using her platform to highlight gallbladder health issues, particularly affecting women. According to the National Institutes of Health, women are two to three times more likely to suffer from cholecystitis than men, with factors including substantial weight loss, contraceptive use, and childbirth increasing vulnerability.
"I can't stress enough how much women are at risk of it," Emma emphasised. "It was a perfect storm of having PCOS, a massive weight gain after giving birth and using Mounjaro. But I don't have any regrets - Mounjaro has helped me take control of my life."
Her story highlights the complex balance between significant health improvements through pharmaceutical interventions and the potential for serious side effects, raising important questions about patient awareness and medical monitoring during weight loss treatment programmes.
