Stand-up comedian and content creator Aishwarya Mohanraj recently shared her experience with significant weight fluctuations and rapid weight loss, revealing that her transformation involved a medication-based approach. In a candid YouTube video, Mohanraj reflected on her lifelong relationship with her body, noting, “I’ve grown up a skinny child,” and recalling relatives’ comments about her appearance from a young age. She added that being thin was never a concern because “the world is built for skinny girls.”
However, Mohanraj explained that despite her early body type, her weight began to increase due to underlying health issues including PCOD, hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance. Alongside these challenges, she was diagnosed with clinical depression, a period she described as “crazy,” recalling that she felt she was “spreading like ginger” and became deeply insecure about her appearance. “My most insane and biggest insecurity was my double chin. I stopped making videos. I stopped coming online because I couldn’t see myself,” she shared.
Her weight rose sharply from approximately 51 kg to nearly 70 kg within six months in early 2021. While she later worked with a trainer and nutritionist and observed changes in her body measurements, the scale barely moved. Health setbacks, including plantar fasciitis and high uric acid levels, further limited her ability to exercise.
Mohanraj eventually began treatment with Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a medication primarily used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, which has also been approved for chronic weight management. She described her results: “That month, I lost 4 kilograms. I took this drug every week for 6 months. In these 6 months, my weight reduced from 74 kilograms to 52 kilograms. It’s rapid. It’s mad. It’s crazy and insane.” She also acknowledged side effects and costs: “The first month, I had intense nausea… I lost a lot of hair… I would be remiss if I did not mention how expensive this drug is. It truly is. It costs ₹4,000 per shot. So you can do the math.”
Mohanraj cautioned that while the medication can be effective, it may not work for everyone. She encouraged people to prioritize medical guidance: “Just because something is easy doesn’t mean it’s wrong… Find reliable people, get help, and fix things however you can because this is your only life.” Her core advice remained simple: consult a doctor.
How Weight-Loss Medications Work
Dr. Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD, FAIG, consultant physician at Elite Care Clinic, explained to indianexpress.com that Mounjaro belongs to a newer class of drugs that act on hormones controlling blood sugar and appetite. “It mimics incretin hormones, which help the pancreas release insulin more effectively, slow stomach emptying, and signal fullness to the brain. Together, these effects reduce calorie intake and improve glucose metabolism,” he said.
These medications are typically prescribed for individuals with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and PCOD, where excess weight worsens health outcomes. “They are not cosmetic weight loss drugs and should only be used after a medical evaluation of body mass index, metabolic profile, and existing health risks,” emphasized Dr. Reddy.
Risks, Monitoring, and Sustainability
Medically assisted weight loss can be effective but requires careful supervision. Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, reduced appetite, and occasional vomiting, particularly during dose escalation. Hair thinning may occur in some individuals, often linked to rapid weight loss or temporary nutritional imbalance rather than the medication itself.
“Regular monitoring is essential,” Dr. Reddy added, recommending blood sugar checks, kidney function assessments, and attention to nutrient intake and hydration. Long-term success depends on combining medication with consistent lifestyle habits.
When Medically Supervised Treatments Are Appropriate
Weight regulation is influenced by biology, hormones, and metabolism—not just willpower. Medically supervised treatments become reasonable for individuals with type 2 diabetes, PCOD, obesity with comorbidities, or clinically significant insulin resistance, especially when lifestyle interventions alone have not produced sustainable results. “The decision usually depends on BMI, metabolic risk, previous weight-loss attempts, and the presence of obesity-related complications,” Dr. Reddy said.
Mohanraj’s story underscores the challenges of weight management and the importance of individualized medical guidance, offering a candid perspective on the realities of rapid weight loss and the role of medication in holistic health care.
