I dropped 5 stone on fat jabs and it saved my son's life
A size 20 mum claims Mounjaro 'saved her son's life' - as it got rid of her 'Homer Simpson' belly so she was no longer 'too fat' to donate him a kidney.
Michelle Giles' son Leo Davies was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2016 after a blood test discovered his kidneys were only functioning at 25%.
The mum-of-two said her son was able to manage the illness for the next eight years by taking sodium bicarbonate tablets to slow its progression.
But in 2024 doctors found Leo's kidney levels had dropped to 7%, meaning he required a transplant within the next year to stop him from needing dialysis.
The 43-year-old immediately jumped at the chance to donate one of her kidneys in April 2024 after discovering she was a perfect match.
But this request was quickly turned down by the doctor after they told her that tipping the scales at 17st at just 5ft 3in meant she was too overweight to be an eligible donor.
Michelle said the doctor explained she needed to lose five stone to get into a healthy BMI range so she could donate her kidney.
Spurred on, the school behavioural lead started taking Mounjaro in July 2024,adjusted her eating habits and swam four times a week to slim down.
After taking the skinny jab for seven months Michelle dropped down to a size 14, weighing 12st 6lbs.
Six months on from the transplant on April 23rd 2025, Michelle says 17-year-old Leo's body has accepted her kidney.
Leo, from Sutton, South East London, said: "My mum saved my life. I feel closer to her now we share a kidney. I am so happy."
Looking back, Michelle admits her son's transplant was the 'kick up the bum' she needed to finally start losing weight.
Michelle, also from Sutton, South East London, said: "If I didn't get him this transplant he would have had to have a dialysis, which would have meant being hooked up to a machine three or four times a week for hours.
"This would have impacted on his life. I was chuffed that I was a match for my son and was relieved that I could save his life.
"At the age of 16 his kidney function had gone down to 7% and I was told I had about a year to lose the weight [so I could be ready for the transplant].
"This was the kick up the bum I needed and a reasonable timeframe for me to lose the weight. They told me I needed to lose five stone.
"I read up on Mounjaro and I went through an online pharmacy to buy them.
"In the first month I could see myself losing weight. After the first month I went on holiday and was a size 18 so I had already lost a dress size.
"I started to become more confident as I could see results and started to be able to fit into clothes that once didn't fit me.
"I was losing weight so consistently that the donor nurse put me on the live transplant list three months before I reached my target so I was all ready to go
"It was surreal [to be able to donate my kidney] and I don't think it has quite sunk in."
Leo is currently completing a catering course at sixth form college and because of his mum's organ donation will now be able to live the next 40 years of his life dialysis free.
Michelle said: "The transplant was just something I had to do so there was no wiggle room to feel anything but positive about it.
"I was also apprehensive that we were both in different hospitals so they had to transport my kidney on a bike to him.
"But overall, I was excited as I just wanted to get it done and save his life."
When Michelle began taking Mounjaro she says she started on a dose of 2.5mg and eventually upped this to the maximum of 15mg with minimal side effects.
As well as changing her son's life, she claims the weight loss has left her feeling confident and able to look at herself in the mirror again.
Michelle said: "For the past nine years I've been trying to lose weight. I tried the gym, fad diets and calorie deficits but these didn't work.
"Before I had kids, I sat at a size 16 but then afterwards I went up to a size 20 and even these clothes began to feel a little small.
"[Before weight loss], my friend took a picture of me at work from behind and it wasn't a very flattering picture of me.
"She showed it to me on her phone and it triggered me so much I walked out of the room crying.
"I had always had quite a curvy figure and quite liked my bum but this had changed shape. I literally had a tummy like Homer Simpson going on, I wasn't feeling great.
"Since coming off Mounjaro I've gained around 3kg and I'm a size 14. It's nice now that I get lots of compliments.
"I feel healthier and that I can do my job role a lot better. I look in the mirror now and I don't necessarily hate what I see in the mirror.
"I do have loose skin but I'm at peace with why I did it [the weight loss] as it was never for vanity, it was to save my son's life."
FOOD DIARY BEFORE WEIGHT LOSS
BREAKFAST: Skipped
LUNCH: Sandwich made with white bread, crisps and yoghurt
DINNER: Frozen ready meal or takeaway
SNACKS: Anything beige in the fridge, including sausage rolls, chocolate, sweets, crisps
FOOD DIARY AFTER WEIGHT LOSS
BREAKFAST: Brown toast
LUNCH: High-protein home-cooked meal
DINNER: High-protein meal of chicken or fish and vegetables
SNACKS: Fruit salad
WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE? (INFO FROM NHS)
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition which means someone's kidneys do not function as well as they should. CKD can get worse over time and eventually the kidneys may stop working altogether but this is uncommon. There is no cure for this illness but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it getting worse. Treatments include taking medicine to control associated problems, dialysis and a transplant.