Surgeon Highlights Health Risks of Mounjaro Addiction

Aesthetic surgeon Dr. Ducu Botoaca has raised concerns about the troubling trend of individuals, particularly women, becoming excessively reliant on weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. He warns that many patients are experiencing severe health consequences, including severe malnutrition, as their bodies begin to “cannibalise” themselves due to an obsession with rapid weight loss.

Originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro has gained popularity for its appetite-suppressing effects. To qualify for the medication, individuals typically need a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30, which is categorized as clinically obese. Yet, Dr. Botoaca reports an alarming trend of patients misrepresenting their weight to obtain the drug, often through dubious online pharmacies or unregulated alternatives sold on the black market.

Dr. Botoaca noted, “I’ve seen people with a healthy BMI of 23 drop to a BMI of just 17 in a matter of weeks—it’s like they have aged by 15 years in just three months.” He explained that many users are not consuming a balanced diet, leading to mood swings, hair loss, and chronically dry skin as their bodies lack essential vitamins and minerals.

The doctor emphasized that these symptoms are often misattributed to the side effects of the medication. “They are suffering from malnutrition, and because they are not under medical supervision, they are totally unaware of the danger they are placing themselves in,” he said. According to Dr. Botoaca, medical professionals typically recommend that healthy weight loss should not exceed five percent of a person’s body mass, a standard that many patients disregard in their pursuit of significant scale reductions.

Dr. Botoaca has observed that the majority of those affected are women aged between 30 and 45. Many of these individuals lack recognition of their malnourished state, describing them as looking “like zombies.” He noted that some users may not have needed the medication at all, yet they continue usage out of fear of regaining weight.

The surge in demand for weight loss injections has also led to the emergence of dangerous alternatives. Dr. Botoaca pointed out that many individuals are opting for unregulated products marketed as compounded peptides, which are often produced in facilities lacking FDA or MHRA approval.

Regardless of the source of the medication, users face similar health risks. Dr. Botoaca’s clinic in London has witnessed troubling changes in patients’ health, with bodies starting to deplete their own resources. “My colleague, who is a GP, noticed that in some patients, there was an increase in thyroid hormones. She thinks this is a sign of accelerated metabolism because the body has started to basically eat itself,” he said.

Rapid weight loss from severe under-eating can lead to muscle wasting as the body metabolizes muscle for energy along with fat. Dr. Botoaca’s clinic has also detected dangerously low levels of calcium and Vitamin D in patients, indicating that their bodies are consuming their own reserves to survive.

The rise of weight loss medications has dramatically changed Dr. Botoaca’s practice, with an estimated 80 percent of his business now dedicated to revision procedures for those who have lost significant weight. Many clients arrive feeling depressed and suffering from low self-esteem, alongside physical conditions like hair loss and dry skin.

Dr. Botoaca explained that psychological factors also play a crucial role in recovery. Many patients believe they look good in clothes but are confronted with the reality of their appearance when undressed. “It takes time to rebuild all of that,” he stated, “and you have to work also with the psychological factor, their fear of regaining weight and ‘rebounding’ to their former size.”

He noted that patients often recognize the need to regain some weight when they wish to enhance areas such as the face and buttocks, which are most visible to them. With even small improvements in their health, such as reduced hair loss, patients typically become more receptive to advice on adopting healthier eating habits.

As the use of weight loss medications continues to rise, the importance of awareness surrounding their risks cannot be overstated. Dr. Botoaca’s insights serve as a crucial reminder of the potential dangers associated with unregulated weight loss practices and the need for medical supervision in such endeavors.