Ally Nyberg, 43, has always been athletic: lifting weights, swimming and hiking. In high school, she played soccer and was a cheerleader.
But Ally has always been a bit overweight. It seemed no matter what she tried, exercise and diets, nothing seemed to work. At 190 pounds, the 5-foot-6 middle-school special education teacher for 21 years was diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
Determined not to become a diabetic like her mother, two years ago Ally enrolled in an HonorHealth Research Institute clinical trial that used a gastric balloon system to limit her caloric intake, but she enjoyed only limited results.
This past summer, Ally was enrolled in a new clinical trial at the Research Institute’s Bariatric/GI Research Division in which she received weekly injections of a drug called Zepbound (tirzepatide; FDA approved in 2024). After taking the drug from June through October, she lost 40 pounds.
“I feel amazing. It’s been life changing. I wouldn’t feel like I needed to eat all the time,” she said, adding that she can control her eating habits and make better choices on her way to becoming more confident socially, especially when she goes to the gym. “This one really, really worked for me.”
In addition to the medication, Ally underwent a procedure in October, performed by the Institute’s Dr. Amar Thosani, an interventional gastroenterologist. The Fractyl Health Remain-1 treatment uses the Revita Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing (DMR) System to resurface the duodenum, a part of the digestive system, in an effort to reduce food cravings.
Maintained weight loss for two months
Although Ally doesn’t know if she received that treatment or a placebo, she has used the Institute’s nutritional guidance to maintain her weight loss for the past two months.
“My clothes fit better. I’m more confident socially. I feel more myself; what I’ve wanted to be for a long time. It feels a lot better,” said Ally, whose progress she uses as an example for her 12 children (one by birth and 11 adopted, including sibling groups).
As for her husband, Matt, “He is jealous,” though Ally shares her good eating habits with him.
She “absolutely” recommends the Institute’s programs to others.
“The (HonorHealth) team has been amazing. They’ve all been really helpful. They’re on top of things. I appreciate all of it,” she said of the clinical trial, which is overseen by Principal Investigator Dr. Allison Steele.
The sponsor for the study, Fractyl Health, is seeking to understand if their Revita DRM System will help patients sustain or continue weight loss after discontinuing a GLP1 medication.
