Stand-up comedian and content creator Aishwarya Mohanraj has spoken candidly about her experience with weight fluctuations and rapid weight loss, revealing that her transformation involved a medication-based approach.
In a recent YouTube video, Mohanraj reflected on growing up as a “skinny child” and how early comments about her body shaped her relationship with weight. “The world is built for skinny girls,” she said, adding that weight only became an issue later in life.
She explained that despite trying diet control, regular exercise, hydration, and step goals, her weight increased significantly due to PCOD, hypothyroidism, and insulin resistance. During this period, she was also diagnosed with clinical depression, describing it as a phase marked by insecurity and withdrawal from social media.
“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.
Rapid weight gain and turning to medication
Mohanraj revealed that in early 2021, her weight rose from about 51 kg to nearly 70 kg in six months. While working with a trainer and nutritionist helped change her measurements, the scale remained largely unchanged. Health setbacks such as plantar fasciitis and elevated uric acid levels further limited her ability to exercise.
Eventually, she was prescribed Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a medication primarily approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and also used for chronic weight management under medical supervision.
Describing the results, she said, “That month, I lost 4 kilograms. I took this drug every week for six months. Over the past six months, my weight has decreased from 74 kilograms to 52 kilograms. It’s rapid. It’s mad.”
She also spoke openly about the downsides. “The first month, I had intense nausea… I lost a lot of hair. And how f**king expensive this drug is… It’s ₹40,000 per shot,” she said, noting that while the medication worked quickly, it did not fully suit her body.
Her message to viewers was clear: “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.” She repeatedly emphasised one point: “Consult a doctor.”
How do weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro work?
Explaining the science behind such medications, Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), FAIG, consultant physician at Elite Care Clinic, told indianexpress.com that tirzepatide belongs to a newer class of drugs that act on hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation.
“Mounjaro mimics incretin hormones, which help the pancreas release insulin more effectively, slow stomach emptying, and signal fullness to the brain,” he said. “Together, these effects reduce calorie intake and improve glucose metabolism.”
According to Dr Reddy, these drugs are typically prescribed for people 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 proper medical evaluation,” he stressed.
Risks, monitoring, and long-term sustainability
Medically assisted weight loss can be effective but requires close supervision, Dr Reddy cautioned. “The most common side effects include nausea, reduced appetite, and occasional vomiting, especially during the early phase. Hair thinning can occur, often due to rapid weight loss or temporary nutritional imbalance rather than the medication itself.”
He added that patients on such treatments need regular monitoring, including blood sugar levels, kidney function, and nutrient intake. “Adequate protein, micronutrients, and hydration are essential. Long-term success depends on combining medication with sustainable lifestyle habits.”
Who should consider medically supervised weight loss?
Weight regulation is influenced by biology and hormones, not just discipline, Dr Reddy noted. “For individuals with type 2 diabetes, PCOD, obesity with comorbidities, or significant insulin resistance, medically supervised treatment is a valid, evidence-based option.”
Factors such as BMI, metabolic risk, prior weight-loss attempts, and obesity-related complications usually guide the decision. If lifestyle changes alone have not produced lasting results, medication may be considered as part of comprehensive medical care.
