Has anyone tried the HCG for weight loss?

[piecemaker]

A lady I work with is starting this. It's like $700. I think I could do some self dieting and exercing on my on. She is the type that thinks she has to have some trick to lose weight. I hope it works for her

 

[Jamsoundsgood]

Several of my relatives have done this diet. Including my MIL, her husband, her sister, and a few others. They have all been happy with the results. How they explained it to me is that what the hormone does is open up your fat cells so that while you live on an extremely restricted diet (like 500 calories) and the rest of your calories are made up through your fat storage. While you're pregnant the cells are "open" in order to store excess fat and this is using the same hormone in the opposite function. Their results were pretty amazing, they all lost about 1 pound a day (the ones that didn't cheat). You can't be on it for very long (about three weeks I think) and they were under a doctor's care the whole time. I know with my MIL at least she actually had a lot of blood tests before starting because that rapid of weight loss could be dangerous to some people. It has been about a year I think and she has kept the weight off without really trying, I think she only gained about five pounds back. I don't think I'd go that route, but thought I'd share a bit of second hand knowledge. Of course, I say that but I just lost my baby weight because my neurologist changed my migraine meds to something that made me lose weight for a change!

Emily

 

[redhen]

I'm thinking about this now...

 

[Ferngully]

Quote:
OK, knew there was something odd about this diet. Who came up with this great idea, someone in Hollywood or Beverly Hills? 500 calories a day,

anyone would loose weight without an injection. Your body would automatically start to burn fat, protein from your muscles, leaching calcium from your bones, tax your kidneys and cardiovascular sysyem. Wow this diet just got even scarier. Even a 1200 calorie diabetic diet plan can help a person loose weight without as much risk as this diet. 1800 calories even works for alot of people to loose weight.

It almost sounds like the amount of calories a person that had a gastric bypass is able to consume in a day. However, they are taking a multitude of dietary supplements, eating several times a day, and are under the extreme watchful eye of a doctor.

My husband is overweight(alot), That little button in the brain that tells him he is full or satisfied does not work. The doctors don't know why, it may have been caused by all the steroid injections he received for an injury 20 years ago, it sure put weight on him (one day I counted 22 injection sites when he came home from the doctor). Changing his diet regime has helped him to loose close to 100 pounds (still more to go). But we are still working on it.

As I said in an earlier post, I would talk to your doctor and OB/GYN before starting this diet. My money is on them saying no way.

Not trying to be mean or hurt anyone who is using this method, I would just approach this one with as much caution as I would in having an elective surgery. Do alot of your own research before hand and talk to your doctor. See if the risks are acceptable to you.

I know to alot of people who have been overweight for most of their life that it seems like the risks are worth it. Same as with gastric banding and bypass. We had that choice for my husband, being in the medical field and also working in the OR with the doctors who perform it, we would have been covered by insurance. But the long term reality of those procedures and risks were not acceptable. That is why you have to go through therapy for 6 months prior to getting the procedure.

 

[sred98]

Thanks for all the replies...pro and con. I am still hoping to hear from more people that have had first hand experience with it. This is a very controlled diet, lots of bloodwork, and dr. visits. Basically constant supervision under a drs. care. They focus on 5 pounds at a time, which sounds good. When my friend first told me about it, I thought, "No way!" Now, I am considering it.

I can pay for it out of my HSA, but other plans I can't. I don't have a huge amount to lose...about 40 pounds, and it is hard on my own. I go in tomorrow for my consultation and see how it sounds.

I hope to have some more responses from people who have done it.

Shelly

 

[seismic wonder2]

Quote:
WAHOO!!!!!

Another glimmer of light in the darkness!!!

Everyone listen very carefully......

FAD DIETS DO NOT WORK!!!

Change your eating habits, and exercise YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT!!!

 

[redhen]

Also..if the calorie intake is only 500 calories, Umm...you'll lose weight with out the shot.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Quote:
WAHOO!!!!!

Another glimmer of light in the darkness!!!

Everyone listen very carefully......

FAD DIETS DO NOT WORK!!!

Change your eating habits, and exercise YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT!!!

I firmly believe in this! To lose weight and keep fit and healthy, then you must make a lifestyle change...not go on a diet.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

My girlfriend did it, yes she lost some weight, but she about lost her marriage doing it, she is normally the nicest person you will ever meet but the whole time she tried this VERY restrictive diet Restrictive=deprivation mindset and that usually lead to binging IMO. She was a hormonal lunatic as she put it, she was miserable. Maybe this is not others experience, her friends (I believe 4 in all) also did it and had good results. I will ask her more about her side effects. I was turned off when she said they use HCG from donors, the thought of injecting someones elses whatever into my body for weight loss is gross.

 

[Sillystunt]

I am not trying to be mean but maybe exercise will work! This is just anneroxia with shots....500 cal is dangerous and any nutrionist will tell you that! Your gonna get skinny cause you are starving yourself! You might loose your hair, period and sanity in the process.
Why don't you learn to eat different and workout!!! You have no clue what the long term effect is on these shots!


Trust me i was 125lbs 5' 10" and worked at a gym. Now i am 190lbs and a couch potato!! LOL I was addicted to GOOD diet pills that had me spun out and loosing tooo much weight!! I am happier now and i know when i want it off, i need to get off my butt and work out!!