Most weight loss advice comes from people who haven't actually lived through the frustration of trying everything and still not seeing lasting results. That's what makes this conversation different. Dr. Nivedita Dadu, who has personally struggled with weight for years, walked through her entire journey years of diets, two other GLP-1 medications, and eventually Mounjaro before finding what genuinely worked. If you're considering a weight loss treatment in Delhi and want an honest, doctor's-eye account rather than a marketing pitch, this is worth reading in full.
A Familiar Struggle: Years of Trying and Restarting
Dr. Dadu described herself as someone who has always been overweight, having tried several diets over the years, including intermittent fasting. The problem wasn't lack of effort, it was sustainability. A hectic schedule made it hard to stick to any single approach for long, and plateaus would set in just when things seemed to be working, leading to frustration and eventual giving up. Being self-described as "a foodie" and an emotional eater added another layer of difficulty, creating a familiar cycle: lose some weight, regain it, restart, repeat.
The First Attempt: Rybelsus
Before considering Mounjaro, Dr. Dadu tried Rybelsus, the oral form of semaglutide available in India at the time (since Ozempic itself wasn't available domestically). She started at a low 7 mg dose and gradually increased to 14 mg. While she did see some results, the experience wasn't a good one. Persistent nausea made it difficult to focus on work, and the daily discipline required to take the tablet became genuinely stressful. Eventually, the nausea outweighed the benefits, and she made the call to stop.
A Detour Through Anti-Inflammatory Diets
Around the same time, anti-inflammatory diets were gaining popularity, partly fueled by celebrity claims of dramatic results. Dr. Dadu researched the approach thoroughly and did try incorporating it, cutting processed foods, reducing high-carb intake, and adding more legumes, berries, nuts, and healthy fats to her diet. While she acknowledged it's a genuinely healthy, sustainable lifestyle change, it simply wasn't fast enough for someone needing to lose a significant amount of weight. It worked well as a supporting habit, but not as a primary weight loss strategy on its own.
What Dr. Dadu Tried Before Mounjaro
|
Approach |
Key Outcome |
|
Intermittent Fasting |
Difficult to sustain due to hectic schedule |
|
Rybelsus (Semaglutide tablets) |
Effective but caused significant nausea |
|
Anti-Inflammatory Diet |
Healthy long-term habit, too slow for major weight loss |
|
Victoza (Liraglutide) |
Better tolerated, but hit a ceiling effect early |
Victoza and the Ceiling Effect
Next came Victoza, a daily liraglutide injection that had been available in India for a while. Dr. Dadu found her experience with Victoza considerably better than Rybelsus, with no notable side effects and steady early progress. The issue, however, was a ceiling effect once the dose reached its maximum, weight loss plateaued around 6-8 kg with no further scope to increase dosage. For someone needing to lose considerably more, this became a limiting factor rather than a long-term solution.
Why Mounjaro Over Ozempic?
With Ozempic gaining massive international popularity, extensive research became necessary both as a doctor now offering GLP-1 treatments at her clinic and as a patient herself. A few clear findings shaped the decision. Ozempic wasn't officially available in India, only through unofficial channels. Studies also showed Ozempic typically supports around 6-7% body weight reduction, while Mounjaro can support up to 20%. Additionally, Mounjaro carries FDA approval specifically for weight loss, with comparatively lower reported side effects than Ozempic.
Ozempic vs Mounjaro Key Differences Considered
|
Factor |
Ozempic |
Mounjaro |
|
Availability in India |
Not officially available |
Available |
|
Average Weight Loss |
6-7% of body weight |
Up to 20% of body weight |
|
FDA Approval for Weight Loss |
Not approved for this use |
Approved |
|
Side Effect Profile |
Slightly higher |
Comparatively lower |
Starting Mounjaro: The Dosing Decision
Given her prior experience with Rybelsus and Victoza, Dr. Dadu skipped the standard 2.5 mg starting dose and began at 5 mg, since her body was already somewhat conditioned to GLP-1 medications. This is something she was clear shouldn't be replicated by patients without medical guidance. Dosing decisions like this depend entirely on individual history and require a doctor's supervision, not self-adjustment.
She stayed on 5 mg for about a month to six weeks with no side effects and steady progress, before moving to 7.5 mg the dose she remained on longest, for roughly three and a half months, during which the bulk of her weight loss occurred. Her approach was deliberately unhurried: rather than rushing toward higher doses, she prioritized getting results at the lowest effective dose.
Supporting the Journey: IV Drips and Aesthetic Treatments
Throughout this period, Dr. Dadu received IV drips every two to three weeks containing collagen, glutathione, vitamins, and NAC, alongside her Mounjaro doses. She reported zero side effects during her longest stretch on 7.5 mg, something she partly attributes to this nutritional support alongside the medication.
She was equally candid about aesthetic support during weight loss continuing hair treatments due to past PCOS-related thinning, facial treatments for hydration and glow, masseter Botox for facial contouring, and body contouring devices to prevent sagging skin. Her point was clear: past a certain age, skincare and body maintenance require more than diet alone, given hormonal shifts, rising stress levels, and environmental factors that come with time.
Supporting Treatments Alongside Mounjaro
|
Treatment |
Purpose |
|
IV Drips (Collagen, Glutathione, NAC) |
Nutritional support, reduced side effects |
|
Hair Treatments |
Managing PCOS-related thinning |
|
Facial Hydration Treatments |
Maintaining skin glow during weight loss |
|
Masseter Botox |
Facial contouring |
|
Body Contouring Devices |
Preventing skin sagging |
Beyond Weight Loss: What Patients Are Actually Experiencing
Dr. Dadu shared that a large share of her patients dealing with PCOS come in with adult acne, unwanted facial hair, and hair thinning often without realizing an underlying hormonal cause. Another common group presents with acanthosis nigricans, causing dark pigmentation around the neck, underarms, and thighs. She described one patient whose acanthosis cleared visibly after just two Mounjaro doses, even with only 2 kg lost so far a clear sign that GLP-1 treatment works on multiple health markers, not weight alone.
Her broader point was that Mounjaro (and GLP-1 medications generally) shouldn't be viewed purely as weight loss drugs. They support better metabolism, reduce inflammation, improve insulin resistance, and help preserve lean muscle mass making the body a genuinely healthier version of itself in multiple ways.
Why Doctor Supervision Matters
Dr. Dadu was firm that starting Mounjaro without medical guidance carries real risks. Baseline blood tests, checking for contraindications, and regular monitoring every four to six weeks are essential to catch nutritional deficiencies early and track thyroid, liver, and kidney function. This is exactly the kind of oversight doctors in Delhi with experience in GLP-1 protocols provide, and it's what allows for maximum results with minimal side effects at the lowest effective dose.
If you're considering this route yourself, it's worth having a proper consultation rather than starting on your own, particularly given how individual factors like prior medication history and baseline health affect the right approach. Clinics like Dadu Medical Centre combine GLP-1 treatment with nutritionist support and IV formulations to build a customized, medically supervised plan.
