HCG versus lapband

Ok look...I have been on and off of diets my whole life, I have a lot of self control issues and basically I have lost a lot of faith that I can do this on my own. I understand that eating right and exercising will get you to lose weight, OBVIOUSLY. I never said it didn't. I just feel like I need some help that my medical insurance will cover because I don't have money to hire a trainer or anything expensive. Not everyone has the same success by themselves. I hate how every time I post on the forums I feel attacked, all I wanted was some personal experiences from a neutral standpoint, thank you for the people that did give me that. But I don't like feeling yelled at, I wouldn't do that to anyone else. I'm not trying to find a shortcut or a crutch, just a helping hand. I would still put in all the work that your supposed to put in in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

I also have self control 'issues'. The yelling and criticism from friends is what I NEED them to do. I don't like being told I am wrong, or am doing something irrational... but it doesn't matter. It's what keeps me in check.

Just think about it, ok?

I am on HCG and have lost 85 pounds on it so far (started May 4). I do recommend you go through a clinic that includes an MD and registered nurses. Also a chiropractor is helpful because they are more educated on nutrition. They prescribe lots of supplements so that you are no malnutritioned and you check in every week which is a lot of accountability. My step sister and her mom did lapband and neither have gotten to their goal weights. They both had it done over 2 years ago. I still have 130 pounds to go (have lost 115 total so far) and truly believe I can get to my goal with HCG. The diet is strict, but it gets the pounds off. As long as you follow the maintenance part of the diet when you are done, then you won't put it back on. Maintenance is normal healthy eating, normal amount of calories. Just very little processed foods and simple carbs.

I understand your struggle to not be able to change your eating habits right now. This diet has helped me change my habits and my relationship with food.

Neither. Create a plan and stick with it. If you can't then it's a discipline issue you need to fix first.

I have been thinking about the Lap Band myself and read up on it on WebMd. I would not be able to to the HCG because I am positive I could not stick to the 500 Calories per day. I can barely stick to the 1480 on here. Anyway, a co-worker of mine has battled weight all of her life. She had done every diet out there. She had the lap band done a little over a year ago and she has lost over a 100 pounds and says she has not had any problems and it has changed her life for the better. I read on WebMd that some folks end up having to have the band remove but it is good to know you can have it removed. I have physical limitations due to a couple of strokes and a heart attack so I can't exercise much which is why I have popped on so much weight. I did go to a nutritionist a few years ago and picked up some good info - I have not eaten a hot dog since after seeing that test tube of fat she pulled out for one hot dog! If your insurance will pay, you may want to talk to a Nutritionist. Another thing is to see an endicronologist. I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem that led to the heart attack - no clogged arteries. It would not hurt to rule out a few things before doing either. Good Luck what ever you decide. Weight issues are a pain in the butt!

If it's a discipline thing you have issues with, I would go see a psychologist or someone to that effect.

I think the lap band has a much higher success rate. You should go with that option.

I think until you can develop a healthy relationship with food, it will be very difficult to lose& keep weight off. Not only about the weight- but long term health. Doing a quick fix will most likely wind you right back to where you started sooner or later. A nutritionist or therapist would be more beneficial. Since you mentioned it, insurance will help cover the cost of either of those.

To answer your question, in elementary school a friend's mom got the lap band. She died soon after. It was horrible& it was really hard on him. That is my only experience with it....

I hope you don't see this as "Attacking" you or anything. I think I speak for most when I say even though you are a stranger I don't want to see you (or anyone) get hurt.

HCG is simply a fraud. Simple as that.
Anyone would lose weight on 500 calories per day, and the price tag for the injections is inexcusable.
Eventually you will need to eat a lot more than 500 calories and your metabolism will be shot and you will gain weight much more easily.

Yep. I found like 7 studies showing that it isn't the injections or drops that cause any weightloss....it's the eating 500 calories a day that causes the loss.

If you're looking for something that you won't waste your money on....do lapband. That said, I do agree that healthy eating and a lifestyle change is the best way to go....but it's ultimately your decision.

Good luck!

I have a lapband and it is the best thing for me. To be honest it limits the amount of food I can intake, but people fail cause a lot of people are emotional eaters. If you are an emotional eater or binge its gonna be hard. You have to know what your food issues are and determine if its just your appetite or a mental thing. Also, how much weight do you want to lose? 30-40lbs can be done. I have to lost 100lbs.

With the lapband you have to eat healthy and excersize is very much a player. The only problem I had before was portion control. I already do Paleo-Atkins and workout. The lapband is just a tool to get me to the next level. i was banded 09/02/11 and lost 22 lbs. Hardly anyone can keep up with very low calorie diet for a long time. The hunger will kick in eventually. I currently eat about 600-700 calories per day. Dont get me started on starvation mode. I'm a skeptic. I try to stagger my calories. higher some days then back low. I dont have any eating issues. I eat slowly, I cant eat pastas, bread or lots of starches. Of course I didnt eat those things before the band, but a lot of people think that once they have the band then they dont have to watch what they eat. Also, I dont understand if you have the band and having problems, you must return to your surgeon. There is no excuse for vomitting, being sick and etc unless you are eating too much, too fast or something you shouldnt. Lap band is all about follow up. And finding the right center is the key. people want a quick fix. To have that magic pill, product, formula, diet etc that allows them to eat whatever and lost weight. Well guess what? Its a fantasy, doesnt exist. You cant be lazy. You have to change what food you eat and how you look at food. Yes, I know your skinny friend can eat whatever and not gain, great. Thats not us.

With the lapband the key is finding an all comprehensive center that helps you from day one. Lapband is very safe, look at the statistics. People confuse it with gastric bypass and stuff like that. Not even close. You can have it removed, it is reversable. So far my eating or "diet" hasnt changed. I am full quicker and with less food. I researched my options for over a year. Dont listen to peoples opinions. Do your own research. I dont know much about HCG, but if people are failing with the lapband then I ask why. If you have band erosion or leakage then I can understand, but I had a co-worker that failed, but she wanted to eat fast food all the time then complain that the band wasnt working for her. if you have any questions just send me a message.

Ok look...I have been on and off of diets my whole life, I have a lot of self control issues and basically I have lost a lot of faith that I can do this on my own. I understand that eating right and exercising will get you to lose weight, OBVIOUSLY. I never said it didn't. I just feel like I need some help that my medical insurance will cover because I don't have money to hire a trainer or anything expensive. Not everyone has the same success by themselves. I hate how every time I post on the forums I feel attacked, all I wanted was some personal experiences from a neutral standpoint, thank you for the people that did give me that. But I don't like feeling yelled at, I wouldn't do that to anyone else. I'm not trying to find a shortcut or a crutch, just a helping hand. I would still put in all the work that your supposed to put in in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

I was reading up to the point were you posted this,I have to say no one,not one person attacked you.Someone saying I think this is a really bad idea is not and attack.
Ok now that I got that out of the way let me say I never ever say anything on these threads I just post the link to the HCG support thread and move on.I just feel like its your body and you are going to do what you want,I also do not like to speak on things I have no experiance with. Heres my probolem with what you said above. You said you cant do it on your own,and that you have control issues if this is the case how will you ever have the control to eat 500 calories a day of a fairly restricted diet because to me that sounds like it takes a whole lot of control.And if you can do that then you have the control you need to do it on your own.
With the lap band ive heard alot of bad and alot of good,if it was me I would try as hard as I can to see if I could do it on my own before doing something as big a surgery. You dont need a trainner or anything expensive to lose weight I didnt.

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.

Very glad you said all of that! It's so true. You will lose fast, you will feel better and I was able to get of my blood pressure meds. But, the key is lifestyle change. I've made that as well. Lost 59lbs. Got me a trainer, workout almost daily and feel great!!!

Someone may have already said this, but you aren't overweight enough for the lapband. You should have a bmi of 40+ to even consider it.

Hi, I had the lapband surgery 8 years ago. I have a love/hate relationship with my band, but if it worked 100% i wouldn't be on MFP.
The thing i do love about my band is that it will not let me overeat anything, unless i go crazy with ice cream or liquid calories. (which i don't). Also you will never be able to eat more than a few bites of bread. All kind of foods get stuck and you will throw it up, and sometimes this will happen at the absolute worse times. If you have to take any meds, they will have a hard time going down.

I didn't have a good doctor, so if you are still looking into lap-band surgery please research and get a doctor you feel very comfortable with. My doctor was just in it for the money, and i stopped seeing him 2 years after my surgery. The lap-band is not a quick fix, initially you may lose a lot, but then the weight loss slows down. If you have any other questions please message me or you can add me as a friend. I've lost over 100 lbs with the band but it has taken me a long time and i have not gained any back in 8 years. Lots of luck to you!!

My opinion:
HGC: Fad

Band: Dangerous and unnecessary. I've been to a lot of medical conventions and seen the sometimes deadly results of these operations. People who think it will be an easy fix requiring them to to little or no work themselves are mistaken. There really is no "do if for me" answer. I've seen results ranging from the band growing into the organ to the band actually causing the organ to leak by rupturing it due to the patient forcing too much food into their bodies, the general result of this extreme case is death.

"I don't have the self control!" : Get it. We all have the ability to self determine our lives and what goes into our bodies. We just have to make a decision and keep making it every day. The only thing that keeps most of us from succeeding is telling ourselves we can't and then overindulging our self serving wants.

It's tough and I'm sure everyone will think it's mean, but really you can do it without drugs or surgery or hiring someone else to move your body for you. It just takes forcing yourself to have the will to do it.

I don't understand the point of doing HCG, lapband or GB if in the end you have to make a lifestyle change with food and exercise regardless. So why not save the money and just make the lifestyle change. Not trying to get something started I just dont see the point when in the end you still have to change your eating habits. Unless people do it for health emergency reasons I can understand that. Just my opinion.