Our Story
This is Dr. Fariba Fanaie, founder of MetaboFix Clinic. Here is my story of how I became interested in metabolic diseases, especially insulin resistance, and transitioned my career from cardiology to weight management.
As a child, I was always skinny and slim, but I had a small belly that seemed disproportionate to my twiggy frame. However, I never gave it much thought.
It wasn’t until I gave birth to my first son at the age of 27 that I noticed significant weight gain (my BMI increased from 20 to 28 after giving birth). Again, I didn’t see it as a serious issue and managed to lose all the weight by my son’s first birthday.
After giving birth to my second son at the age of 32, my BMI peaked at 35, which was unprecedented for me. Despite being a doctor, I considered it normal post-pregnancy weight gain and lost the excess weight again within a year. Looking back, I now realise these were early signs of being prone to insulin resistance.
My struggle with weight and health began after this. My weight started to creep up slowly but steadily—around half a kilogram to one kilogram a year. Being very self-conscious, I actively tried to prevent this. Over 20 years, I tried various diets, joined weight loss programmes (e.g., Slimming World, Atkins, intermittent fasting), used numerous weight loss products (shakes, supplements), and took medications (e.g., Trulicity injections, Victoza, Metformin, Orlistat). Yet, none were effective in helping me achieve sustainable weight loss.
Read More ...
When I began training for 5K and 10K runs, I managed to lose weight and get fit. However, this required immense dedication, time, and energy—resources that were scarce for a full-time working doctor and mother of two. After about a year and a half, I had to stop running.
As my weight increased, exercise became more challenging, and my sugar cravings spiralled out of control. I had become a sugar addict—a real condition. Whenever I felt tired or distressed, which was almost daily, I coped by binge-eating sweets to soothe my emotional and physical discomfort.
In 2022, after a year of using Trulicity injections without success, I felt hopeless. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Desperate for a solution, I learned about Ozempic and Wegovy, which had shown promising weight loss results.
I began Ozempic injections and noticed no change during the first month. By the end of the second month, however, I had lost 3 kg—a miraculous result for my body. By the third month, I had lost 5 kg, and by six months, I had shed 11 kg.
I was amazed by Ozempic’s effectiveness. Compared to Trulicity, which was hard to tolerate, Ozempic had minimal side effects. Unexpectedly, I also lost my craving for sweets and felt more energetic. Later, I learned that the low energy following carbohydrate consumption was due to dopamine depletion, which occurs after an initial dopamine release triggered by carbs.
Four months into using Ozempic, I had an epiphany: if I had struggled with increasing weight for half my life—culminating in Type 2 Diabetes—why not help others in similar situations lose weight and potentially prevent diabetes?
I began studying medications like Semaglutides and Mounjaro, learning about their impressive mechanisms, low risk profiles, high effectiveness, and additional benefits.
I also discovered the dangers of fake injections sold online, which can be both ineffective and harmful. In unregulated markets, patients often receive incorrect doses to accelerate weight loss, leading to severe side effects and even hospitalisation.
At MetaboFix Clinic, every medication and dose is tailored to each individual’s medical history, current medications, and body response. I personally guide patients through their journey. What sets us apart is our focus on simple lifestyle modifications and dietary advice to help patients not only lose weight but also maintain it.
