A mother-of-three who turned to 'skinny jabs' in a final attempt to lose weight has revealed she was left with an 'apron tummy' and clumps of hair loss, yet maintains she has no regrets about her transformation.
The Long Struggle With Weight
Charmaine Hines, 35, from Powys, had battled her weight for years, trying almost every diet imaginable. She had attempted Slimming World, Slim Fast, Keto, and the Special K diet, but still hated her reflection. At her heaviest, the mortgage administrator weighed 16 stone 9 pounds.
Her weight severely impacted her daily life and self-esteem. "I'd wake up every morning feeling tired, like I'd not been to sleep," Charmaine recalled. "I was out of breath just walking up the stairs." The situation affected her confidence with her slim husband, leading her to get undressed in the dark so he couldn't see her.
The 'Last Resort' Decision
In January 2025, as a final effort, Charmaine started using Mounjaro, a medication obtained through MedExpress at a cost of £72 per month. She had seen promising posts from friends and news coverage about the so-called 'skinny jabs'.
The results were rapid and dramatic. "In my first week, I lost just under a stone," she said. "I wondered at this point why I hadn't done it sooner." The medication helped quiet what she describes as 'food noise', making it easier to manage emotional eating and food addiction.
The Unwanted Side Effects
However, the dramatic weight loss came with significant physical costs. Charmaine was left with substantial loose skin on her abdomen, which she describes as looking like an 'apron tummy'.
More distressingly, she began experiencing severe hair loss. "When I was washing my hair, it was falling out in clumps," she explained. Despite normal blood test results from her doctor, the hair loss was so significant she had to cut her hair very short. She now takes collagen and biotin daily in hopes of improving hair thickness.
The financial cost was also substantial, totalling £720 overall. To afford the treatment, Charmaine had to sacrifice luxuries like nail and eyelash appointments. She dreams of having a tummy tuck but cannot currently afford the procedure.
A Bittersweet Victory
Despite the challenges, Charmaine has no regrets. She now weighs 9 stone 11 pounds and is close to her goal weight of 9 stone. "I've worked so hard to get to this point and the excess skin is a reminder of the body I once hated," she said.
She emphasises that while people might see it as the 'easy' option, the medication required significant personal commitment. "It's not magic; you've still got to work with it," she stated.
Charmaine believes there needs to be more support for people coming off the medication, as rapid weight loss can be frightening for both mind and body. Nevertheless, she has gained confidence and finally feels positive about her health and future. "I don't have my perfect body, but I finally feel like me again," she concluded.
