I was on RTE's OT but I've lost 27lbs in weeks with €235 jabs and still eat burgers and pizza, it's changed my life
FROM appearing on Operation Transformation at 27 stone to trying brutal low-calorie diets, Mark Fearon has struggled with his weight for the past 15 years.
But the
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Mark appeared on Operation Transformation 15 years ago
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Mark is happier than ever since dropping the pounds
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Mark can still enjoy pizza and a drink
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been growing in popularity in Ireland over the last few months.
By activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer and reducing appetite.
And Mark, from Stepaside, told how while his weight has "crept" up over the years, he's starting to see real results with the drug.
Now weighing 19 stone, 47-year-old told the Irish Sun: "Ever since then I have been trying to lose 10 stone and I have gotten the weight down but never the 10.
"The weight kept creeping back and ever since then I decided I had to do something about it.
"Weight loss is obviously one of the main side effects of Mounjaro, as I lost 27lbs in just six weeks.
"I've lost weight quickly before but this is different, I'm actually eating loads of calories.
"I am having around 2,500 calories a day so I am not starving myself."
Mark, who appeared on hit
He said: "When I tried to lose weight before, I would eat very few calories, but this resulted in me having very little energy.
I went from 27 lbs in six weeks with Mounjaro after 15 years of trying to lose weight it has completely changed my life
"So this time I am actually eating enough calories to keep active, so I am actually in the gym all the time.
"For the first time losing weight, I am actually feeling great doing it, I'm not feeling deprived.
"I'd eat well during the week and then at the weekends I'd love takeaways.
"Pizza and burgers being the favourite but there isn't much I wouldn't enjoy eating.
"It's amazing, but the urges for these foods are just gone being on Mounjaro.
"Without Mounjaro I'd be saying, 'Well I had a burger so there's no point eating well for the rest of the day' and would throw in ice cream and chocolate. Now I eat without any urges of a binge.
"In the past six weeks I have eaten out a few times where I had a pizza and a burger but the difference is that I had them and that satisfied me."
Speaking about the side effects, he said: "I get heartburn a bit more but I just pop two Rennies and it's gone.
"Obviously, there is the risk of stopping taking it and putting the weight back on but is that not the case with every single diet?"
'BIG DIFFERENCE'
And Mark hit back at the haters calling it the "lazy way out" as he revealed he has so much energy that he does not even watch television anymore.
He said: "I'm up at 5am every morning before work so I can go to the gym and this is while I'm losing serious amounts of weight.
"The big difference with Mounjaro is I am still able to eat, but I eat what I need, no more, as the desire to overeat is gone.
"I have so much energy now and it has made me so active that I don't even watch TV anymore, as when I sit down all I want to do is get up and be active."
When asked on the financial aspects of the weight loss jab, Mark said he was "just swapping one thing he spent money on for another" in relation to takeaways, dinners and drinks.
He said: "I'd spend easily €50 per week on takeaways, plus throw in tubs of Ben and Jerry's.
"Mounjaro costs me €250 per month from the North. This includes the monthly consultation, the Mounjaro and the tracked delivery to my home.
"The greatest thing about the price is that no matter the higher dosage you go on, the cost stays the same.
"And that cost is easily what I spent on food I didn't need to eat and no longer do on Mounjaro."
Mark said he has full support from his doctor, adding: "I do get my Mounjaro from the North but my GP is fully aware of it and is also very supportive of me being on it."
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Mark has been sharing his weight loss journey for more than 15 years on Facebook, Instagram and more recently on TikTok.
He said: "I get a lot of private messages from people asking questions especially about Mounjaro.
"Some people want to do it, but really do not want anyone to know."
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF WEIGHT LOSS JABS?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections include:
Nausea
: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting
: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea
: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation
: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort
: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite
: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion
: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Pancreatitis
: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems
: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors
: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems
: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
: Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
But Mark has no shame or secrecy when it comes to his journey and said his family have been "very supportive of him".
He said: "I have been trying for 15 years to get my weight to a place I'd be happy with.
"I set myself a target of losing 10 stone, then I've never accomplished it, I'm now 19st 13lbs and I've lost 27lbs in six weeks on Mounjaro.
"I know I will get to my goal of that 10 stone down now with the help of Mounjaro.
"My friends and family know how important that is to me, and they are very supportive of me being on Mounjaro."
The latest weight loss drug was only approved for use in Ireland in early 2025, being licenced for use as a treatment for both type 2 diabetes and obesity.
And Mark is not the only Irish person seeing big health changes since trying the fat jab.
EATING 'ADDICTION'
Irish mum Sandra Keogh spent hundreds of euros every month on Doritos as her
The former weight loss consultant, 37, said she needed to urgently make a change but had already tried all of the usual routes.
She said: "I felt unable to find the will to care what I was shoving in my mouth.
"It was compounded by the fact that I knew what I should be doing I just felt useless. I had to try something else."
But she had a light bulb moment one day after sitting down to watch a bit of reality TV.
The
"So after a while when I heard about availability here, I went and spoke to my doctor because I haven't had diabetes but I just needed something.
"I knew what had to be done, but I didn't have the willpower or the motivation to do anything.
"I started Ozempic in November 2023 after the doctor thought it was a great idea.
"I was on it until February this year and when I heard Mounjaro was coming in, I was eager to swap because I had lost 33 pounds on Ozempic and I kind of had stalled.
"When I heard that Mounjaro was going to be approved for weight loss here in Ireland, I thought, 'Right, I'm going to try and get it'.
"I started taking it on the 25th of March and I began losing weight again."
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Mounjaro was Mark's last resort to help him lose the weight
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He documents his journey on his TikTok account
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Mark is also working hard at the gym
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I'm still bound at the moment to help reduce scarring but then the surgery was only recently. 'My recovery is ongoing but I'm so happy with the new body I have, getting rid of my flabby tummy has changed my life.' Claire says she can't wait to get into a bikini this summer. She adds: 'It's incredible how much my confidence has changed. 'Having a Mounjaro makeover has completely changed how I feel about myself. I feel sexier than I have in years and have had loads of compliments from friends.' 'Easy way out' Meanwhile, Abbie Rose, 28, started taking Mounjaro in December and credits it with helping her achieve her dream body. The mum of three from 'I think there can be some negativity around weight loss injections but they're amazing. 'I think if they help people and give them their confidence back, that's amazing.' But, like Claire, she was left with extra skin around her stomach, so she booked in with Professor Whitaker to help her hit her ideal weight of 9st 7lbs. She says: 'My Mounjaro makeover consisted of a tummy tuck, muscle repair and liposuction, it was £9,000. 'It was uncomfortable but manageable when it came to the pain and the recovery. I was over the moon when I first saw my results. The Mounjaro Makeover can remove skin from anywhere with the most common areas being the abdomen, arms, breasts, or thighs – or a combination Professor Whitaker 'I spent £300 on Mounjaro injections and the Mounjaro makeover isn't something I went into with my eyes closed. 'I spoke to lots of friends and family about it and they were supportive of my decision and knew it was something I had wanted for a long time, around seven years.' Claire agrees - despite having received negativity, she says she simply couldn't have achieved the body she has now by exercise and diet alone. She told The Sun: 'It's easy for people to say Mounjaro and Mounjaro makeovers are cheating and are the easy way out. 'But I've battled with my weight for years and, thanks to the injections and Professor Whitaker, I'm at the exact weight I want to be, and I have a body I've always dreamed of having.' Professor Whitaker says a patient should be at or near their target weight, with a BMI around 25 or lower, before considering surgery. He says: 'That ensures the skin is looser and the fat thickness is reduced, which reduces tension on the closure, better blood supply, reduced complications and leads to better results. 8 She took the plunge once she hit her ideal weight of 9st 7lbs 8 Abbie says her friends and family were supportive of her choice to get the makeover 'Surgery is most successful when the weight is stable. Some people may still have a bit to lose post-surgery, but they've already done the hard work.' He adds: 'The hashtag #mounjaromakeover started in the US but like a lot of trends , it's come to the UK. Now dozens of women have shared their Moujaro makeovers online." Mounjaro is approved for weight loss in the UK, while Ozempic is only approved for type 2 diabetes. Gemma Collins and Jeremy Clarkson are two of the Brit stars who have admitted using Mounjaro, while Sharon Osbourne, Amy Schumer and Prof Whitaker adds: 'The Mounjaro Makeover can remove skin from anywhere with the most common areas being the abdomen, arms, breasts, or thighs – or a combination. 'Each has its pros and cons, but the abdomen is by far the most common and the area I'm asked for when it comes to Mounjaro Makeovers the most.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. Prof Whitaker says surgery after large weight loss on Mounjaro is honestly the only option. 'The reality is, once you've lost that kind of weight, no matter what anyone says, it's unlikely you can bring the abdominal muscles back together through physio or exercise alone. And you certainly can't remove the excess skin without surgery. 'The idea that injections, lasers, suction, or radiofrequency devices can meaningfully tighten that skin after this volume of weight loss is, frankly, complete nonsense. 'None of those approaches are effective for the kind of skin laxity we're talking about here. The only real solution is surgery.' Iain Whitaker is a Professor of Plastic Surgery , and The Welsh Representative on BAAPS Council Instagram @profiainwhitaker
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I was on RTE's OT but I've lost 27lbs in weeks with €235 jabs and still eat burgers and pizza, it's changed my life
FROM appearing on Operation Transformation at 27 stone to trying brutal low-calorie diets, Mark Fearon has struggled with his weight for the past 15 years. But the 6 Mark appeared on Operation Transformation 15 years ago 6 Mark is happier than ever since dropping the pounds 6 Mark can still enjoy pizza and a drink Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been growing in popularity in Ireland over the last few months. By activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer and reducing appetite. And Mark, from Stepaside, told how while his weight has "crept" up over the years, he's starting to see real results with the drug. Now weighing 19 stone, 47-year-old told the Irish Sun: "Ever since then I have been trying to lose 10 stone and I have gotten the weight down but never the 10. "The weight kept creeping back and ever since then I decided I had to do something about it. "Weight loss is obviously one of the main side effects of Mounjaro, as I lost 27lbs in just six weeks. "I've lost weight quickly before but this is different, I'm actually eating loads of calories. "I am having around 2,500 calories a day so I am not starving myself." Mark, who appeared on hit He said: "When I tried to lose weight before, I would eat very few calories, but this resulted in me having very little energy. I went from 27 lbs in six weeks with Mounjaro after 15 years of trying to lose weight it has completely changed my life "So this time I am actually eating enough calories to keep active, so I am actually in the gym all the time. "For the first time losing weight, I am actually feeling great doing it, I'm not feeling deprived. "I'd eat well during the week and then at the weekends I'd love takeaways. "Pizza and burgers being the favourite but there isn't much I wouldn't enjoy eating. "It's amazing, but the urges for these foods are just gone being on Mounjaro. "Without Mounjaro I'd be saying, 'Well I had a burger so there's no point eating well for the rest of the day' and would throw in ice cream and chocolate. Now I eat without any urges of a binge. "In the past six weeks I have eaten out a few times where I had a pizza and a burger but the difference is that I had them and that satisfied me." Speaking about the side effects, he said: "I get heartburn a bit more but I just pop two Rennies and it's gone. "Obviously, there is the risk of stopping taking it and putting the weight back on but is that not the case with every single diet?" 'BIG DIFFERENCE' And Mark hit back at the haters calling it the "lazy way out" as he revealed he has so much energy that he does not even watch television anymore. He said: "I'm up at 5am every morning before work so I can go to the gym and this is while I'm losing serious amounts of weight. "The big difference with Mounjaro is I am still able to eat, but I eat what I need, no more, as the desire to overeat is gone. "I have so much energy now and it has made me so active that I don't even watch TV anymore, as when I sit down all I want to do is get up and be active." When asked on the financial aspects of the weight loss jab, Mark said he was "just swapping one thing he spent money on for another" in relation to takeaways, dinners and drinks. He said: "I'd spend easily €50 per week on takeaways, plus throw in tubs of Ben and Jerry's. "Mounjaro costs me €250 per month from the North. This includes the monthly consultation, the Mounjaro and the tracked delivery to my home. "The greatest thing about the price is that no matter the higher dosage you go on, the cost stays the same. "And that cost is easily what I spent on food I didn't need to eat and no longer do on Mounjaro." Mark said he has full support from his doctor, adding: "I do get my Mounjaro from the North but my GP is fully aware of it and is also very supportive of me being on it." SUPPORT SYSTEM Mark has been sharing his weight loss journey for more than 15 years on Facebook, Instagram and more recently on TikTok. He said: "I get a lot of private messages from people asking questions especially about Mounjaro. "Some people want to do it, but really do not want anyone to know." WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF WEIGHT LOSS JABS? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections include: Nausea : This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting : Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea : Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation : Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort : Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite : This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion : Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Pancreatitis : In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems : There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors : There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems : Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) : Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. But Mark has no shame or secrecy when it comes to his journey and said his family have been "very supportive of him". He said: "I have been trying for 15 years to get my weight to a place I'd be happy with. "I set myself a target of losing 10 stone, then I've never accomplished it, I'm now 19st 13lbs and I've lost 27lbs in six weeks on Mounjaro. "I know I will get to my goal of that 10 stone down now with the help of Mounjaro. "My friends and family know how important that is to me, and they are very supportive of me being on Mounjaro." The latest weight loss drug was only approved for use in Ireland in early 2025, being licenced for use as a treatment for both type 2 diabetes and obesity. And Mark is not the only Irish person seeing big health changes since trying the fat jab. EATING 'ADDICTION' Irish mum Sandra Keogh spent hundreds of euros every month on Doritos as her The former weight loss consultant, 37, said she needed to urgently make a change but had already tried all of the usual routes. She said: "I felt unable to find the will to care what I was shoving in my mouth. "It was compounded by the fact that I knew what I should be doing I just felt useless. I had to try something else." But she had a light bulb moment one day after sitting down to watch a bit of reality TV. The "So after a while when I heard about availability here, I went and spoke to my doctor because I haven't had diabetes but I just needed something. "I knew what had to be done, but I didn't have the willpower or the motivation to do anything. "I started Ozempic in November 2023 after the doctor thought it was a great idea. "I was on it until February this year and when I heard Mounjaro was coming in, I was eager to swap because I had lost 33 pounds on Ozempic and I kind of had stalled. "When I heard that Mounjaro was going to be approved for weight loss here in Ireland, I thought, 'Right, I'm going to try and get it'. "I started taking it on the 25th of March and I began losing weight again." 6 Mounjaro was Mark's last resort to help him lose the weight 6 He documents his journey on his TikTok account 6 Mark is also working hard at the gym
