Bruno Graizzaro: Type 2 Diabetes Success Story
Bruno Graizzaro was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2006 at age 50. His family history has remained a powerful source of motivation ever since. Watching both his father and grandmother live with serious complications from untreated diabetes shaped how he approaches his own health and reinforced the importance of staying well.
When Bruno first came to the UMass Memorial diabetes clinic in 2017, he was taking 100 units of insulin each day, his blood sugar was not well controlled and his weight had reached 300 pounds. Since then, he has made major lifestyle changes that helped him lose 65 pounds, come off insulin and other diabetes medications, and achieve strong blood glucose control. He has maintained both the weight loss and an A1c around 7%.
Bruno says the changes have made a noticeable difference in his daily life. He sleeps better, has more energy and feels very different from the man who first walked into the clinic.
Moderate exercise and reducing carbohydrates have helped him stay focused on managing diabetes. He encourages others to monitor their blood sugar regularly, weigh themselves consistently and pay close attention to the amount of carbohydrates they eat. He also believes it is important not to let one setback derail long-term progress.
Bruno appreciates the collaborative care he received from endocrinologist Dr. David Harlan. He felt listened to and felts they worked together rather than dictating his care, which made him feel genuinely supported throughout the process.
Bruno says living with diabetes means continuing to fight, never giving up and listening to what the numbers are telling you. His story shows how lasting lifestyle changes, combined with a supportive care team, can improve both blood sugar control and overall quality of life.