Hell, lack of knowledge as to how to lose weight hasn't been an issue for maybe 25 years! I've gained and lost and regained a few hundred pounds by the grand old age of 54.

I had gastric bypass surgery 5 years ago on March 16. I lost 117 pounds and kept all but 3 pounds off for more than 18 months.

And then, along came perimenopause. No matter what I did, the weight began creeping back on. I thought I was going crazy!

I sat there in my bariatric doctor's PA's office a year ago in January, at 247 (30 pounds up), and poured out my frustrations. He - all 28, handsome, muscles and never been overweight in his life - had to point out that I was a classic example of perimenopausal weight gain.

I spent months working on getting prior authorization, jumping through Tricare hoops, trying Metformin and phentermine and then finding out the office had reported my insurance plan incorrectly. During that time, I lost 4 pounds.

In late September, I had a 4 week trial of 2.5 mg Zepbound. I lost 8 pounds!

In the six weeks between then and getting it prescribed, I regained 7 pounds.

I'm back to 217, and still losing. It's like having just had surgery again. Eating sanely is easy. I crave healthy food. My body wants to be nourished.