How a 65-Year-Old Homemaker Lost 10 kg, Stopped Metformin, and Avoided Knee Replacement Surgery

I Quit All My Diabetes Meds in 5 Months & Cleared GTT with FFD!

Name - Mrs. Rekha Shah
Age - 65 Years Young
Profession - Homemaker
Place - Bengaluru, Karnataka.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 65, it wasn't something I had expected to happen so suddenly. Just two months earlier, my reports were completely normal.
Then COVID struck. Within weeks, my HbA1c jumped to 8.5, changing everything.
Already living with a pacemaker and severe knee pain, I feared another lifelong health battle had begun. Instead, what followed was a transformation that not only helped me control diabetes but also helped avoid a knee replacement.

Key Takeaways

Reduced HbA1c from 6.8 to 5.7 in 8 months
Completely stopped Metformin under medical supervision.
Weight reduced from 82.5 kg to 72.5 kg in 4 months
Improved kidney and liver health markers.
Stopped BP medication in 5 months
Successfully cleared GTT
Completed multiple 72-hour fasts under FFD guidance.
Knee pain reduced so significantly that knee replacement surgery is no longer required.
Built an active lifestyle through gym training and cycling.

My Diabetes Story

Diabetes wasn't something that slowly crept into my life.

It arrived almost overnight. I have been a heart patient for many years and live with a pacemaker.

In June 2022, I underwent a pacemaker replacement surgery, and before the procedure, all my reports were normal. I wasn't diabetic.

Unfortunately, just two months later, I contracted COVID. After recovering, I repeated my blood tests and was shocked.

My HbA1c had suddenly risen to 8.5. I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 61.

Considering my strong family history both my parents were diabetic, my twin brother has diabetes, and so does my younger brother. I always knew diabetes might come someday.

That's why I stayed reasonably active and tried to delay it for as long as possible.

But COVID pushed me into the diabetic range. Thankfully, it was detected early, and my family physician immediately started treatment before I developed any symptoms.

How FFD Introduced Me to a New Beginning

I had actually heard about Freedom From Diabetes nearly ten years ago from a friend living in Canada.

At that time, I wasn't diabetic, so I never explored it further. Years later, I came across Dr. Malhar's videos on Facebook. One video became many.

The more I watched, the more curious I became. Before joining, I scheduled a video consultation with Dr. Malhar. I had nearly twenty questions written down.

He patiently answered every one of them.

By the end of that conversation, I knew this wasn't another weight-loss program. It was backed by science.

Initially, my biggest concern wasn't diabetes. My medicines had already brought my sugars under control.

My biggest concern was my weight. I was preparing for a knee replacement surgery because my knee pain had become severe.

Dr. Malhar advised me to join the diabetes program so that doctors could closely monitor my medications while I worked on weight loss.

That advice changed my life.

Mrs. Rekha Shah

My Reversal Story

When I joined FFD, my HbA1c was around 6.8, and I was taking Metformin along with another medication prescribed primarily for my heart.

Gradually, under medical supervision, I completely stopped taking Metformin.

Today, I only continue a low dose of DAPA because my cardiologist recommends it for my heart condition not because my diabetes requires it.

But the biggest transformation happened on the weighing scale. I started at 82.5 kg.

Within the program, I reached 72.5 kg, achieving my weight-loss goal naturally.

Today, I comfortably maintain around 74 kg, and more importantly, I now know exactly what to do whenever I gain a little weight after holidays or celebrations.

FFD didn't just help me lose weight. It taught me how to maintain it.

Many of my health parameters also improved, including my kidney and liver markers.

One of my proudest achievements was completing 72-hour fasting, something I never imagined I could do.

With guidance from my dietitian and doctors, it became possible.

Athletic Identity

Perhaps the most unexpected transformation was discovering how much I enjoy being active.

Before FFD, walking for more than 20 minutes felt difficult.

Today, I comfortably walk for an hour. I can cycle for more than 75 minutes on the gym bike and have even started exploring cycling as my athletic identity.

I train at the gym three days a week and dedicate two additional days to walking or cycling.

One of my proudest moments was completing a small trek with the beginners of the Bengaluru chapter of FFD.

Something that felt completely unimaginable just a year ago became a reality because of the strength, confidence, and fitness I built through this journey.

Once my residential swimming pool reopens, I also plan to include aqua exercises in my routine.

I'm in no rush. I'm simply becoming fitter every single day.

Current Lifestyle & Reflection

The greatest gift FFD gave me wasn't just weight loss. It gave me confidence.

Earlier, whenever I lost weight, I eventually gained it all back because I never understood the science behind healthy living.

Today, I know exactly how to bring my body back on track. The biggest victory?

My knee replacement surgery is no longer needed. Weight loss, muscle strengthening, and consistent exercise have completely changed the future I had imagined for myself.

Wherever people ask how I lost weight, I proudly tell them about Freedom From Diabetes.

I have never hidden my journey because I truly believe more people deserve to know that diabetes and obesity can be managed naturally with the right guidance.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Malhar, Dr. Pramod, and my entire FFD team, including Niyati and Dr. Subodh, for making this transformation possible. Their guidance, support, and belief helped me achieve things I once thought were impossible.

For me, FFD isn't based on promises. It's based on science, consistency, and results I have personally experienced.