hCG Injections

missmacsays

I'm posting this in hopes people with factual information can enlighten me some. I currently go to a medical spa for a tattoo removal and saw they offer hCG injections, so I read about it just to see what it's all about. This is NOT the same as the stuff you buy at the pharmacy which claims to help you lose weight. This is actual injections from a doctor who also monitors your progress and bloodwork, things like that. Anyhow, I'm just curious if anyone has had/knows anyone who has experience with doing such things. I'm not looking for an easy way out when it comes to weight loss by any means, but it doesn't hurt to keep options open. Here's the info the medical spa mentions about it. Again, I'm looking more for facts from people that know about it, not just opinions of whether it's good or bad. Unless of course you know about it, then by all means chime in!

The diet plan involves induction of the hCG injections in conjunction with a 2 day gorge. The hCG injections are continued day 3 through either day 21 or 40, depending on weight loss goals. For three days after the last injection, the very low calorie diet is continued. During this period you are to refrain from all cardio exercise. From that point, maintenance begins. Maintenance is a 6 week period of 1500 calories/day and includes exercise. Weight loss with the hCG diet generally results in a daily loss of 0.5 pound/day for women and one pound/day for men. Thus, over 6 weeks, women can expect 20-30 pound weight loss and men, 30 pounds or more. The diet is designed to be a minimum of 21 days, and a maximum of 43 days of active dieting. If more weight loss is desired, another cycle can be done after this maintenance phase.

Achaila

I know people who have lost A LOT of weight doing this. But these were people who needed to lose 100+ pounds. You do gain some of the weight back after you start eating normally again, which is something that you have to ease yourself into. If you adjust your lifestyle properly, you'll keep most of the weight off. I know that if you don't lose all the weight that you want you can do several rounds of it.

You have to stick to a strict lifestyle change afterwards in order to have success. Of the 4 people that I know that did this, 1 of them lost 45 pounds after 2 rounds and immediately jumped back into a lazy lifestyle eating whatever she wanted. She gained all the weight back and then some.

If you're considering it I would ask a doctor what they think. It does require that you severely restrict calories which can be dangerous, but it never hurts to get an experts opinion!

missmacsays

The aftewards part is what I'm most curious about. In the part I read, it say for 6 weeks, you do maintenance at 1500 cals/day, which isn't really that restrictive, plus exercise. After the 6 weeks, I can't find anything to say what kind of caloric restrictions they have for this type of procedure. Now if it were following 1500 cals/day still, that seems doable. If it wants you to do the 500 cals/day, then obviously I can see the concern in that. I've had good success with diet and exercise, but this is intriguing to get that last kick of what I'm looking to lose basically.
Thanks for the info! I may ask the doctor at the med spa some information about this when I see him next, since he is the one who performs it there as well.

SirBonerFart

Good to keep the boys in action

trogalicious

You can do it! :flowerforyou:

_HeartsOnFire_

My friend did this and looked like skeletor afterwards. It was scary! I really think this is a very unhealthy way to do it. But that's my opinion. I know the doctor I work for is pretty against this.

lynn1982

Educate yourself on this before talking to the supposed "doctor" at this "medical spa." You can do a search on the forums here and elsewhere for reviews... People have died from it. But do what you want.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

I'm not looking for an easy way out when it comes to weight loss by any means, but it doesn't hurt to keep options open. Here's the info the medical spa mentions about it. Again, I'm looking more for facts from people that know about it, not just opinions of whether it's good or bad. Unless of course you know about it, then by all means chime in!

You're not looking for an easy way out so stop looking for an easy way out.

_HeartsOnFire_

Oh wait, skeletor has muscles. my friend had lost all that, and well, possibly some of her smarts.

TheBeerRunner

Do you know where HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) comes from? It's a hormone released by a fertilized egg after conception. It's the hormone that pregnancy tests look for... In pregnant women's urine. That's where it comes from... Pregnant lady pee. Yup. Gross. If you want to inject yourself with a hormone that is extracted from another person's urine, well, have fun.

kckBxer396

About 3 years ago I lost 40 pounds using the original drops,and I had a friend to shed a lot of weight doing the injections. Idk if his wife did the drops or injections,but she also lost a good amount. However, I gained back the 40 I lost plus an extra 20 pounds. Their weight also went back to normal and then some. I suppose I could have been more active to to keep the weight off,but they go to the gym daily and are very mindful of what they eat. Does it work? Yes. Did it work long term for me or any of the people I know that have tried the drops, pills,or injections? Nope. Would I suggest spending money on it? No.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Yes, I know 12 people who did it. All of them gained back all the weight they lost plus some, despite following the instructions to the letter. Most of them lost hair and jacked up their metabolisms. They lost a ton of muscle. It took my husband 2 years to be able to lose weight through calorie counting again.

Run, don't walk, away from this.

missmacsays

Just to clarify for the people who are getting all amped up over this post, I think I did state I'm asking about it for curiousity's sake in an attempt to educate myself on things. Not because this is something I'm convinced I want to do and I'm too lazy to attempt working out. I've obviously had successes from natural and healthy weight loss. It really doesn't kill you to know about different things that exist. Medical spa doctors are in fact educated doctors that handle a variety of issues as well. I'm not going to some quack doctor and saying "please make me not fat anymore." I have never heard of anyone who had these done and figured there's got to be people out there that know someone and can give a factual experience of how it went for them. Thanks for the information!

Birder150

I think it's because of the 500 calorie diet that people lose the weight and the possible placebo effect of the hcg.
Nothing more than that, imo.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

This thread is full of personal experiences after the diet ends.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1006178-life-after-hcg-weight-loss-disaster-help

HeidiCooksSupper

I think the reason people get "amped up" about the HCG Diet is because it is really quite dangerous. It can quite literally kill you.

There is no, none, zero, zilch, nada research showing that HCG encourages weight loss. In fact, there's evidence from research studies over the last several decades showing that HCG does not encourage weight loss. The reason people lose weight on the "HCG Diet" is because of severe calorie restriction, restriction beyond that which is at all safe. The 500 to 800 calorie a day diet can cause hair loss, gall stones, heart damage, and any of a variety of problems you just don't want to have. A dozen or more deaths were linked to the HCG Diet in the 1970s. There is some evidence that the famous singer, Mario Lanza, died from trying it in the 1950s.

In fact, as far as the FDA is concerned, over-the-counter HCG diet products are illegal. HCG is a drug used in treating female infertility. It is not approved for use for weight loss and, in fact, the required label reads that there “is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”

Any physician who injects this into someone for weight loss is either a quack, irresponsibly ill-informed, or both.

lynn1982

I think the reason people get "amped up" about the HCG Diet is because it is really quite dangerous. It can quite literally kill you.

There is no, none, zero, zilch, nada research showing that HCG encourages weight loss. In fact, there's evidence from research studies over the last several decades showing that HCG does not encourage weight loss. The reason people lose weight on the "HCG Diet" is because of severe calorie restriction, restriction beyond that which is at all safe. The 500 to 800 calorie a day diet can cause hair loss, gall stones, heart damage, and any of a variety of problems you just don't want to have. A dozen or more deaths were linked to the HCG Diet in the 1970s. There is some evidence that the famous singer, Mario Lanza, died from trying it in the 1950s.

In fact, as far as the FDA is concerned, over-the-counter HCG diet products are illegal. HCG is a drug used in treating female infertility. It is not approved for use for weight loss and, in fact, the required label reads that there “is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”

Any physician who injects this into someone for weight loss is either a quack, irresponsibly ill-informed, or both.

This. Also, the supposed "trained medical doctor" at this "medical spa" might have a degree and might not be a quack, but could very well be out to make a quick buck through unethical means that could very well kill you.

missmacsays

I appreciate the feedback! I just ask questions to inquire about things I am not personally familiar with. The research I've done online is very spotty and it's hard to find much recent information. Of course, the negative effects of it are not usually broadcasted all over the internet either, hence the interest in people who know others or who have even heard of this and what it does to your body.

ThickMcRunFast

I would just point out that its illegal to sell over the counter in the US, so unless you live somewhere else, the 'injections' are just as bogus as the pills (ie they are billed as 'homeopathic', and thus contain no actual hCG). The real stuff can be prescribed, but as a fertility treatment, not for weightloss.

Azdak

In 1974, the FDA reviewed the studies that had been done on HCG and determined that any weight loss effects from an "HCG plan" were due to the VLCD of 500 calories per day.

There was no--repeat NO--independent effect from the HCG itself.

Anyone who is considering HCG should evaluate it the same way you would a 500 calorie per day diet. If someone thinks that is a good idea, and they feel the emotional support of a placebo is worth the $$$, then they might consider HCG.

whitebalance

Do you know where HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) comes from? It's a hormone released by a fertilized egg after conception. It's the hormone that pregnancy tests look for... In pregnant women's urine. That's where it comes from... Pregnant lady pee. Yup. Gross. If you want to inject yourself with a hormone that is extracted from another person's urine, well, have fun.

Dang... As much as I had to pee when I was pregnant, I could have made a fracking fortune off this fad. Before my time again.

conniemaxwell5

I have friends that did this and lost weight but they starved while they were losing it and they've put all the weight and more back on.

I_Will_End_You

I have a friend that did it. She was a psycho b*itch from hell while on it, didn't lose all that much weight, and ended up putting a lot more back on than she lost. Plus the added bonus of her metabolism being screwed up and having a difficult time losing weight the correct way.

maybeazure

The Mayo Clinic says that it is both unsafe and illegal in the US.


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hcg-diet/an02091

volume77

been there done that. I lost some weight but it was VERY hard to eat 500 calories a day and I probably wouldn't do it again. plus the hcg is not what is helping you lose the weight it is the 500 calories you're eating basically starving yourself. you will lose weight, but not fun

volume77

Do you know where HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) comes from? It's a hormone released by a fertilized egg after conception. It's the hormone that pregnancy tests look for... In pregnant women's urine. That's where it comes from... Pregnant lady pee. Yup. Gross. If you want to inject yourself with a hormone that is extracted from another person's urine, well, have fun.

Dang... As much as I had to pee when I was pregnant, I could have made a fracking fortune off this fad. Before my time again.

LOL^^^

Mokey41

I think it's because of the 500 calorie diet that people lose the weight and the possible placebo effect of the hcg.
Nothing more than that, imo.

Exactly, if you want to starve yourself thin you can do it without the drops/injections and still enjoy the muscle loss, headaches, dizziness, hair loss and assorted health issues.

_HeartsOnFire_

Those doctors may not be quacks, but do those doctors actually care about their patients? No. Are they just in it for the money? Yes. As we all know weight loss and fake beauty are the quickest way for these doctors to make a dollar.

I worked for quite a few doctors who actually helped people, that was every one of their opinions on "med spa doctors".

I don't think anyone was trying to get on you or dog you for "wanting to know more" but you asked in a public forum and people gave their opinions. Whether you liked how they came across or not.

cathmaow

Several patients have entered my Emergency Department for this nonsense so called diet.
Have a calorie deficit and workout.
End of story.

LongIsland27itl

Hcg does not help with weight loss. The HCG diet has people eat total 500 calories, that's what drops the weight.

SloRunner25

Several patients have entered my Emergency Department for this nonsense so called diet.
Have a calorie deficit and workout.
End of story.

^^ She is a smart chickie and my weight loss hero. Good advice.