HCG versus lapband

well... I'm going to be a negative Nancy here. I've seen people do the HCG, and really didn't lose weight. They're consuming about 500 calories daily, and their body goes into starvation mode, so they're not keeping their metabolism going. Plus, I had a friend tell me that her tastebuds changed so much that the foods she was "allowed" to eat were making her sick, so she REALLY wasn't eating.

I'm a lapbander going on 2 years, and I've had nothing but issues with it. Earlier this year, I found out I have a leak in my band, and insurance will not cover any revisions, or removal. The only thing my surgeon wants me to do is to keep coming back on a monthly basis, pay $100 for each visit, and keep getting filled. Also, earlier this year, I had strep throat, and I started having more drainage. Well, when you have drainage, and when you try to eat, it forms into a big blob, and you can't pass it thru the lap band, causing you to get sick, causing you to not eat your proper nutrition. So, I've been on a plateau with the lap band.

Really.... in all honesty, ... using this site for 6 months has helped me lose more weight than the lap band has in 2 years. I wouldn't give this tool up for the world!

I have a friend that did HCG, lost a bunch of weight on it but was tired all the time, and then when she went back to eating normally gained it all back and then some. She said she was miserable when she was following the strict HCG diet, too.

My friends that have done lapband are a mixed bag. Some are having huge success with it and some are really struggling to drop any weight at all, but (to me) it seems a little better than the HCG. At least, they don't SEEM like they are constantly starving.

Unless you learn to eat better and look at it as a life style change, then you're wasting your time with either IHMO.

I'm looking into both and I've heard good things from both, and I know I have people that have tried both on here. So...your experiences please? No comments unless you have actually tried them, or know someone well that has please. And no being negative just for the sake of it either lol.

I am on HCG for a non-dietary related reason. I don't think it's had any impact on my weight but it's helped me with certain things like self control, however; that could also just be due to the HCG helping to correct the problem and it's just normal for me.

My aunt and uncle had something similar to Lapband but they've put a lot of the weight back on.

Is your weight that severe where you need something more invasive? Your picture doesn't really look like it. Have you tried some diet improvement and exercise?

dont you have to eat considerably less with both? why dont you just eat considerably less now, make healthy choices, throw out all junk, refuse to eat out, and exercise 3x a week? i'm not an expert in any way, and i'm new to weight loss, but i'm just thinking.... maybe??? i cut out pop ( i only drank on average 3 a week to begin with), cut down sugar and starchy foods, eat my fruit and vege servings/day and make sure i eat lean proteins...i've lost 13 lbs in about 35 days.

I would not recommend homeopathic HCG at all (unless you have seen a qualified homeopath who has prescribed it for you). It is a homeopathic preparation of a pregnancy hormone.

Homeopathic remedies can have a profound effect if used correctly (and this takes a lot of study & years of practice), by taking homeopathic HCG you risk screwing with your endocrine system - NOT something you want.

I don't personally study homeopathy so my knowledge is limited...but this is the response I got when I asked the homeopathy lecturer at my college.

being overweight is not something that should be cured by curbing the quantity of food you eat. It should be the types of food you eat. Neither of your presented options are your best options.

Just eat healthy and exercise! There is no secret to weight loss!

AMEN SISTER!!!

Well, I for one have lost over 50 lbs on HCG. I've had neighbors do lap band and are still struggling. One thing I will say about HCG, while you will likely lose weight (most lose 3/4 -1lb a day) it is very strict in the first 2 phases, phase 2 being the VLCD (500 calorie) phase and the foods are VERY limited. It can be very tough. That said, after the first week on phase 2 most cravings and hunger issues have subsided and you just get through it knowing it'll pay off in the end. Now, I've done 3 rounds of HCG. First one I lost 30lbs kept it off. 2nd lost 20, put back the whole 20lbs. 3rd lost that 20 again and have kept it off. I mention this because following the protocol after completion is VERY important. The thing about HCG is it can be a fast way to get the initial pounds off. The bad thing is most people treat it like a 'diet' and don't read the entire protocol to make the permanent life changes to keep the weight off permanently. This is the danger spot. Go back to your old ways after done you WILL gain back all the weight you lost and probably then some again. I've been off for 6 months and notice if I get too out of hand one stuff I'll put on some weight. But I follow the protocol immediatly (steak day) to address that and immediately return to my set point. This is a good start for HCG, find the Pounds and Inches guide online and read it. Lapband to me is WAY more extrme. Surgery in my mind is a last ditch effort. Try HCG first and if you don't lose there lapband or bypass may be the ticket for you. HCG is NOT a fraud if done by a real ND or other professional. HCG with holistic drops IS a fraud and should be avoided. I did HCG under ND care and it was tough, but VERY effective. It's not cheap but it does work and any speaking against it have likely not gone to a professional for the program. DMPIZZA has a point about more than 500 calories but has obviously not read the entire protocol to understand HOW and WHEN to add more calories and variety back in. I'm currently at 1600 calories a day and mostly stay within my 2lbs of goal weight. Any further questions about HCG I'll be happy to address, just PM me.