As a university student in Seoul, I've always struggled to balance school, stress, and staying healthy. Between long study hours, convenience-store meals, and too much coffee, my weight kept creeping up — and so did my anxiety about it. Every semester, I told myself I'd start fresh: a new gym membership, a new diet, or a new app to track calories. But like many students, I ended up exhausted, hungry, and frustrated when the results didn't last.
That's when my doctor at a local clinic told me about GLP-1 weight-loss therapy, using medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide (Zepbound™). At first, I didn't believe it would work. I'd seen too many “miracle” diet products on social media that just made people sick or dehydrated. But my doctor explained that these weren't diet pills — they're advanced metabolic medications that help your body regulate appetite naturally.
It Didn't Feel Like a Diet — It Felt Like Balance
After starting treatment, the change was subtle but powerful. For the first time in years, I didn't feel obsessed with food. I could focus on my studies without constant hunger or sugar crashes. I didn't have to force myself to eat less — I just wanted less. Even my sleep improved, and I woke up with more energy.
Within a few months, my clothes started to fit better. I didn't lose weight overnight, but it was steady and consistent. My face looked less bloated, and I felt lighter — both physically and mentally. It wasn't about being “skinny”; it was about finally feeling in control again.
When Health Gets Complicated
Around the fifth month, I started to feel stomach pain and nausea. I was scared at first — I thought maybe the medicine was the problem. But after testing, my doctor explained that I had gallstones, probably from years of poor eating habits and sudden fat loss. It was stressful hearing that I'd need gallbladder surgery, especially during exam season.
Thankfully, in Korea, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is common, safe, and usually done as a same-day procedure. I was nervous, but my surgeon reassured me it would be quick and minimally invasive. He was right — I went home the same day, and within a week, I felt like myself again. The pain disappeared, and I could eat normally without discomfort.
Learning to Take Care of Myself
Looking back, I realize that GLP-1 therapy didn't just help me lose weight — it helped me rebuild my relationship with health. I started eating better, drinking more water, walking between classes, and managing my stress through yoga and journaling. It wasn't about being perfect anymore — it was about progress.
For students like me, who feel trapped between exams, social pressure, and endless diet trends, GLP-1 treatment under medical supervision can be a real turning point. It's not a shortcut — it's a scientific tool that, when combined with good habits and doctor guidance, can change your life.
Now, I don't measure my success by the scale but by how I feel — energized, confident, and free.
