HCG versus lapband

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Replies

  • darrcn5
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    OP, unless you can tackle the self control issues, NOTHING is going to work. There are people who have done the Lap Band, gastric bypass, etc., lost a bunch of weight, and gained every single pound back because they never changed their lifestyle. I watch The Biggest Loser, and there are normally a few contestants on there every year who have had the Lap Band or gastric bypass and are still 300-400 pounds because they never made a permanent lifestyle change.
    Start small. Track your food every day just so you know what and how much you are eating. Start exercising for 30 minutes 3 times a week. Just start somewhere. It doesn't have to be an overnight transformation.
  • klabeau
    klabeau Posts: 261 Member
    Wow! Some people can be so ugly on here! Is is really needed?? Kuddos to those who just answered the question and did start attacking!!!
  • Lisa_222
    Lisa_222 Posts: 301 Member
    I know one person who lost a ton of weight with a lap band and looks fantastic. I also have a nurse friend that works in the GI lab that says people constantly come back with complications and said "never do it". So I guess you just have to decide for yourself. I would see it as a last resort, I guess.

    I'll tell you a philosophy I adopted while trying to quit smoking and hope that it will carry over to this. I tried every nicotine replacement I could find and nothing worked. When I finally decided that nothing was going to do it FOR me but I needed to do it myself, I was finally successful. Weight loss can't be any different.
  • xneurocentric
    xneurocentric Posts: 44 Member
    I feel like my post will get lost in the shuffle, but let me say something here.

    First off, I'm not sure how much weight you have to lose (from your picture it looks like you don't have a lot to go), but you might not even qualify for the Lapband. One issue I have with the Lapband (and it's not the procedure itself) is that it's so easy to FAKE that you need it done. I had a friend who is my age and had the procedure about two years ago, and she was literally TELLING me that she was purposefully not following the diet plan the doctor had given her so they would believe that diet and exercise were not working. In essence, she wasn't trying. That disappoints me to no end. Not saying that you will do this, but I'm saying you should at least try diet and exercise. Some of the people who have replied about their experience on the Lapband have probably tried a normal diet, but it just didn't work for whatever reason.

    Secondly, I was in your shoes a while back. No motivation, and no self-control. Then I had someone close to me have a life or death experience based on a non-healthy lifestyle and it kicked me into gear. But no one should have to endure that kind of experience just to make them realize they need to eat healthy. It has to be YOU and YOU alone. And MFP is a great start! You joined, and you want to make changes. You should definitely look at some progress pics that people post (it's wonderful motivation to see that it can be done) and make some friends on here that will help you out when you need it. But no one is going to hold your hand and force it.

    Third, this isn't just a diet for everyone here. It's a life change. And because of that, you need to realize that you will trip and fall. You'll eat something not so healthy every once in a while (I've done it a few times and the scale has shown me the consequences). But you stand up, brush yourself off, and on the next meal you do better. But it has to be YOU, and no amount of fad diets or surgery will do that for you.

    And lastly, I don't think anyone was attacking you. I think at first glance, people thought - and were worried - that you would use a simple way to get out of this problem, and they were looking out for you. Also, jumping into something like Lapband is NOT an easy, nor simple choice, and you can't just wake up one morning and decide to get the procedure. That's solely my opinion. Within the first response to your post, people were caring and wanting to help you. It goes without saying that internet posts are a bad way of judging emotions. Don't think right off the bat that anyone was out to hurt you.

    I do wish you luck in your journey and I hope you stay here and decide to go ahead with trying diet and exercise first before making any other decisions. Who knows? It might work out completely for the best :)
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    I knew a girl who did hcg, she lost about 20somethng pounds very quickly but gained it all back once she was off.
    As for lapband I highly recommend watching the true life episode about it. There is one guy who get it and then gets it loosened and he can't control his eating after.

    Personally, I think you need to address the psychological reasons why you are overweight or else you aren't really fixing the problem. :)
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    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.


    I'm not going to argue, but just as an FYI, according to the majority of websites I've been to about the lapband, in order to be eligible for the lapband you have to need to lose at least 40 lbs. Also, I am 4'11" and 208 lbs, therefore my BMI is 42. I edit my pictures.
  • mylyhud
    mylyhud Posts: 31 Member
    Forget both and try Medifast. It really works. I'm on it and I feel great! I've lost 30 lbs in 7 weeks. You should lose on average, 2-5 lbs a week.
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Oh and you can't really listen to second hand opinion regarding lapband. Before I had mine done I spoke to a couple of people. I heard all these different stories. One lady had a lapband done and she only ate ice cream. She had some excuse that nothing could go down. I asked her why she didn't try yogurt, cottage cheese, water, ice pops, etc. She had no answer. One lady cheated her band and ate cookies constantly. This one guy said right after he was banded he ate 2 big macs.

    I think some of you people seriously think lapband is an easy way out. It's hard. It's just a took to help with portion control. If your going to eat crap in any diet obviously you won't lose weight. I don't understand how you gain weight with a lapband if you are eating properly and exercising, that makes no sense. Obviously you are doing something wrong.

    Furthermore, it's your decision. Anywhere you go you will hear positive and negative stories regarding both.

    My friends boss did HCG, she lost a lot of weight. Some days she eats more than 500 other days she sticks to it. It's really all about self control.

    Lapband, HCG, Gastric, regular dieting, weight watchers, jenny craig, WHATEVER. ANY DIET YOU HAVE TO WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND EXERCISE.

    That is really what it comes down too.

    I have the lapband and I'm happy with it. I eat very healthy. It has helped me a lot. Especially because prior to it I had no self control. I tried dieting before and I was starving constantly. I lost the weight but I'd have no strength and was so hungry I'd go right back into those bad habits. With the lapband you have a bit more restriction, so those foods I ate and felt hungry afterwards, I don't anymore. I feel full and I only consumed a couple hundred calories. Plus I had it done last week wednesday and I already lost 18 pds. So it honestly depends on you as a person. Don't listen to second hand stories. You don't always know the real truth.


    THANK YOU. You sound like one of the most reasonable and neutral people on here, finally. I'm not asking people to only tell me good things. Just to be nice about it and present me with both sides of the equation.
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    I have never commented on a MFP blog before but seeing your question and the responses I feel compelled to comment. First of all just ignore the people who can't seem to understand the part about speaking from experience on the two procedures. Every time I look up hcg it's the same thing from people who don't even know 2 things about it.
    Now my 2 cents... I was seriously considering lapband but I was a little scared it seems so drastic and quite frankly I chickened out. I heard about the HCG diet from my sister who has a friend that sells the homeopathic version. I started researching it and I liked what I saw from people who ACTUALLY use it. I started 1 round of the homeopathic version and I will tell you it is hard work. I was never physically hungry but I was mentally starving. I wanted doughnuts and hamburgers etc. I cheated a lot but in the end I lost 14 pounds in two weeks. I stopped doing it for about a week and maintained. I found that in that two week time frame I had really learned to cut my portions and eat healthier. The thought of a burger makes me sick and that says a lot, there are doughnuts right now at a cubicle by me and I don't even want one I have my apple :). I started back today to give it another try and I feel good about it this time.

    Good Luck with what ever you decide to do and don't listen to the negativity. This is your journey!


    Thank you very much :]
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Dang ppl relax! Some of u didnt even answer her question and right away commented on her situation without knowing her. How can u say that a Dr wont even operate on her by lOoking at her pics? She asked a question not ur opionion on what u think of her. Either answer and be helpful or refrain from negative opinions. Thats what i think or maybe some ppl just cant read what she asked....

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I swear, I could hug you right now lol. Nice to find some reasonable people on here lol
  • goldingirl01
    goldingirl01 Posts: 1
    I had great success with HCG. First let me say that person who said that HCG comes from a women's pee when she is pregnant is incorrect. It is a hormone that women produce when they are pregnant in their placenta. It has been used for over 60 years in the treatment of infertility. In 1954 Dr. Simeon realized that it aided in weight loss. I recommend the website: www.hcgdietinfo.com. There you can read the original manuscript written in 1954 by Dr. Simeon. It is called "Pounds and Inches", You will get ALL of the facts from it. The reason that I chose HCG is because the results are fast and I have zero patience when it comes to weight loss. After loosing the weight (as with any diet) you HAVE to have a change of lifestyle. I walk 3 miles 5-6 days a week to keep the weight off. Do NOT buy your HCG online. Find a Dr. in your area (lots of naturalpathic doctors are prescribing it) and get it through them. Just so you are aware; a doctor or pharmacy pays $50 for a 40 day supply. A reasonable price for you to pay, is $75-$125 for the actual serum. I would definitely recommend the shots over the sublingual. If you tried to do your own diet of 500 calories a day without HCG 2 things would happen; you would be starving all of the time and you would lose a lot of muscle. With the HCG, you are not hungry and you lose ONLY fat and NO muscle. Really cool. I lost 80 pounds in 2 rounds: First round was 40 days and I lost 45 pounds. then 3 weeks of eating whatever I wanted but no starch or sugar. Then I did 2 weeks of eating normal food, then another 40 days in which I lost 35 pounds. I have several friends who have done it since I did and all with great success. I have had my weight off for 2+ years.
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Wow! Some people can be so ugly on here! Is is really needed?? Kuddos to those who just answered the question and did start attacking!!!

    EXACTLY. I'm so glad that I wasn't just being sensitive, thanks for agreeing with me.
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Forget both and try Medifast. It really works. I'm on it and I feel great! I've lost 30 lbs in 7 weeks. You should lose on average, 2-5 lbs a week.

    I've actually wanted to do Medifast for a long time, I just can't afford it :[[[
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    I had great success with HCG. First let me say that person who said that HCG comes from a women's pee when she is pregnant is incorrect. It is a hormone that women produce when they are pregnant in their placenta. It has been used for over 60 years in the treatment of infertility. In 1954 Dr. Simeon realized that it aided in weight loss. I recommend the website: www.hcgdietinfo.com. There you can read the original manuscript written in 1954 by Dr. Simeon. It is called "Pounds and Inches", You will get ALL of the facts from it. The reason that I chose HCG is because the results are fast and I have zero patience when it comes to weight loss. After loosing the weight (as with any diet) you HAVE to have a change of lifestyle. I walk 3 miles 5-6 days a week to keep the weight off. Do NOT buy your HCG online. Find a Dr. in your area (lots of naturalpathic doctors are prescribing it) and get it through them. Just so you are aware; a doctor or pharmacy pays $50 for a 40 day supply. A reasonable price for you to pay, is $75-$125 for the actual serum. I would definitely recommend the shots over the sublingual. If you tried to do your own diet of 500 calories a day without HCG 2 things would happen; you would be starving all of the time and you would lose a lot of muscle. With the HCG, you are not hungry and you lose ONLY fat and NO muscle. Really cool. I lost 80 pounds in 2 rounds: First round was 40 days and I lost 45 pounds. then 3 weeks of eating whatever I wanted but no starch or sugar. Then I did 2 weeks of eating normal food, then another 40 days in which I lost 35 pounds. I have several friends who have done it since I did and all with great success. I have had my weight off for 2+ years.


    Thanks! That's a lot of really good information :]
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    Perhaps you'd care to point to which part of my post was prejudiced? The point about locus of control is well covered in the literature on eating issues.

    And yes, im probably far better qualified than the average surgeon to talk about the cognitive and emotional aspects of eating and weight loss. Thanks for asking.

    Wow! You do think quite a bit of yourself. When you publicly state that you feel that you are more qualified than well-respected universities and board certified surgeons, I can realize a God complex when I see one. IF you are such an "expert", why are you here on MFP at all? Just here to "enlighten" others?

    I have a favorite saying and it applies to people with your overinflated sense of worth, "Never wrestle with a pig; you both get all dirty and the pig likes it." Thank goodness I am the one who is open-minded enough to admit that methods I might not personally like can work for others.

    Seems like arguing and trying to win at all cost is your life mission....have fun with it. I think most people reading your posts can properly evaluate their actual value.
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Perhaps you'd care to point to which part of my post was prejudiced? The point about locus of control is well covered in the literature on eating issues.

    And yes, im probably far better qualified than the average surgeon to talk about the cognitive and emotional aspects of eating and weight loss. Thanks for asking.

    Wow! You do think quite a bit of yourself. When you publicly state that you feel that you are more qualified than well-respected universities and board certified surgeons, I can realize a God complex when I see one. IF you are such an "expert", why are you here on MFP at all? Just here to "enlighten" others?

    I have a favorite saying and it applies to people with your overinflated sense of worth, "Never wrestle with a pig; you both get all dirty and the pig likes it." Thank goodness I am the one who is open-minded enough to admit that methods I might not personally like can work for others.

    Seems like arguing and trying to win at all cost is your life mission....have fun with it. I think most people reading your posts can properly evaluate their actual value.


    lol and that value is zero. Thanks for pointing it out :].
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Wow! Some people can be so ugly on here! Is is really needed?? Kuddos to those who just answered the question and did start attacking!!!

    EXACTLY. I'm so glad that I wasn't just being sensitive, thanks for agreeing with me.

    No you were being sensitive,now next timeif you just want people to blindly agree with you without giving their real opinions you just let us know
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Forget both and try Medifast. It really works. I'm on it and I feel great! I've lost 30 lbs in 7 weeks. You should lose on average, 2-5 lbs a week.

    I've actually wanted to do Medifast for a long time, I just can't afford it :[[[

    Why can you pay for all these wacky diets but you cant just watch what you eat and exercise? im not trying to be rude im really curious?
  • Danidelion
    Danidelion Posts: 70
    Forget both and try Medifast. It really works. I'm on it and I feel great! I've lost 30 lbs in 7 weeks. You should lose on average, 2-5 lbs a week.

    I've actually wanted to do Medifast for a long time, I just can't afford it :[[[

    Why can you pay for all these wacky diets but you cant just watch what you eat and exercise? im not trying to be rude im really curious?

    I have and will watch what I eat and exercise, and I wouldn't pay for these because I have health insurance and my insurance covers it. I have a hard time keeping to a normal diet, that's all. Like I said before though no matter what I would keep trying just as hard, I just feel like one of these methods would provide extra incentive for me personally. As for medifast, I'd like it because everything is already portioned out, and I wouldn't have to worry about grocery shopping.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Cownancy, maybe try reflecting on what I've said. You're so busy defending your entrenched view against all possible comers i don't think you can distinguish between attack and reasoned argument. Yet you don't seem to have an answer to the very simple problem of locus of control.

    As to the question of qualification. . . Well yes obviously those with expertise are completely immune to developing eating problems themselves. . . That's why you never hear of psychologists with eating disorders, overweight nurses, sports scientists who are obese. . .

    Oh. . . Wait. . .

    Fear not. Im giving hcg and barbaric threads up. Seriously, what's the point? When disagreement, use of research and theory, and rational argument is dismissed as hate or arrogance. . . ? Well. Bless you all. :-)
  • Trevor0331
    Trevor0331 Posts: 7 Member
    Great Job!!!
  • xneurocentric
    xneurocentric Posts: 44 Member
    Great Job!!!

    Did you even read the thread? lol
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437
    I had great success with HCG. First let me say that person who said that HCG comes from a women's pee when she is pregnant is incorrect. It is a hormone that women produce when they are pregnant in their placenta. It has been used for over 60 years in the treatment of infertility. In 1954 Dr. Simeon realized that it aided in weight loss. I recommend the website: www.hcgdietinfo.com. There you can read the original manuscript written in 1954 by Dr. Simeon. It is called "Pounds and Inches", You will get ALL of the facts from it. The reason that I chose HCG is because the results are fast and I have zero patience when it comes to weight loss. After loosing the weight (as with any diet) you HAVE to have a change of lifestyle. I walk 3 miles 5-6 days a week to keep the weight off. Do NOT buy your HCG online. Find a Dr. in your area (lots of naturalpathic doctors are prescribing it) and get it through them. Just so you are aware; a doctor or pharmacy pays $50 for a 40 day supply. A reasonable price for you to pay, is $75-$125 for the actual serum. I would definitely recommend the shots over the sublingual. If you tried to do your own diet of 500 calories a day without HCG 2 things would happen; you would be starving all of the time and you would lose a lot of muscle. With the HCG, you are not hungry and you lose ONLY fat and NO muscle. Really cool. I lost 80 pounds in 2 rounds: First round was 40 days and I lost 45 pounds. then 3 weeks of eating whatever I wanted but no starch or sugar. Then I did 2 weeks of eating normal food, then another 40 days in which I lost 35 pounds. I have several friends who have done it since I did and all with great success. I have had my weight off for 2+ years.

    Join date: September 2011
    Posts: 1
    Topic: HCG
    Status: Supportive of dangerous diet
    Conclusion: TROLL

    I love how people literally join this site and make a big post supporting dangerous lifestyle choices such as HCG or to promote some product and then people thank them for their post. Get a clue guys/girls.
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    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.


    I'm not going to argue, but just as an FYI, according to the majority of websites I've been to about the lapband, in order to be eligible for the lapband you have to need to lose at least 40 lbs. Also, I am 4'11" and 208 lbs, therefore my BMI is 42. I edit my pictures.

    I thought your photo didn't match your weight goal information. You look SOOO think in your photo! BMI 42 should qualify you with no co-morbidities. Now the doctor has to be sure your style of eating will be helped by the band. Hope you can find an awesome doctor. I don't know where you live, but see if any of the big cities near you publishes a Top Doctors if you don't have a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Let me know what you decide, if you don't mind.
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    Cownancy, maybe try reflecting on what I've said. You're so busy defending your entrenched view against all possible comers i don't think you can distinguish between attack and reasoned argument. Yet you don't seem to have an answer to the very simple problem of locus of control.

    As to the question of qualification. . . Well yes obviously those with expertise are completely immune to developing eating problems themselves. . . That's why you never hear of psychologists with eating disorders, overweight nurses, sports scientists who are obese. . .

    Oh. . . Wait. . .

    Fear not. Im giving hcg and barbaric threads up. Seriously, what's the point? When disagreement, use of research and theory, and rational argument is dismissed as hate or arrogance. . . ? Well. Bless you all. :-)

    Thank goodness....arrogance is not needed here!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,430 MFP Moderator
    Ok, i want to say a couple more things. First for those that have lost on the lap band, that is awesome. This is one of many methods to lose weight on. If it is what is needed to control your eating issues, than more power to you. I have seen people lose on this method but I have also seen people have issues (one of my students fathers developed an infection and died, either from it twisting or something). At 20 years old, I thoroughly believe surgery is unnecessary. There are so many other options out there. Next, HCG. Absolutely, you can lose weight on this program. It's really the same method as many people use with eating disorders. This is why I don't back the program and truely don't support it. You want some good information, well it's posted below.


    Also, even though some of us haven't had a lapband or done HCG, it doesn't mean we aren't trying to help, nor does it mean we aren't ask knowledge over the subject. You want some great advice, it's simple research. Look at the pro's and con's of laps. Look at stuff like success rates and failures. With HCG, don't just look at how many people lose weight, but how many put it back on or even more, how many people get sick from it. Keep in mind, our internal organs needs calories to function properly and under eating can several damage things like yoru reproductive organs and your metabolism. And then compare those pro's and con's against the pro's and con's against regular diet and exercise. And if you want to lose weight quick and keep it off, look at a program called p90x. My friend lost 60 lbs in 90 days. He ate 1800 calories a day and the weight just flew off. And the best part about it, it doesn't have side effects, except i does require hard work.


    If you want the help, many of us will personally work with you. And if you decide surgery or HCG and it doesn't go the way you want, guess what, we will still work with you. Until you decide to put the effort forth, nothing will work. I truely wish the best for you in your endevor. Just remember, to evaluate all options, not just the two.



    There are several institutues that have research the needs of a body to maintain proper body function and all have come back with 1200 calories for women and 1500 for men (this includes teh Nation Institute for Health and American College of Sports Medicine). Decreasing your calories to below these standards (which are very low to start with) can affect your long term weight loss. Decreasing below your Basal Metabolic Rate can slow your metabolism, decrease thyroid function, decrease muscle mass, and have adverse affects on several organs, digestion, etc...

    When you reduce the calories too low, your body may not go into starvation mode but your body doesn't function properly. Also, over time, if you don't eat enough, your body will store fat due to the metabolism slowing down. Your metabolism is contolled by the amount of muscle you body has. The more muscle, the faster your metabolism is (unless you have a thyroid issue or other medical condition). The AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine suggest 1.2 - 1.4 g of protein per kg of weight.


    So for a 150 lb person, that comes to 88-95g of protein


    150/2.2 = 68.1
    68.1*1.2 (1.4) = 88/95g


    Obtaining that much protein would be difficult with 900 calories, considering 400 of those calories would have to be from proteins alone. keep in mind the below.

    1 gram of carbohydrate = 4 calories
    1 gram of protein = 4 calories
    1 gram of fat = 9 calories

    Here is a link with some good information.

    http://www.shapefit.com/basal-metabolic-rate.html

    Also, keep in mind, when you don't eat enough calories, your body utilizes proteins from your muscles to fuel your body and holds onto the fat. If you want to run an experiement on your, go get some body calipers or get someone to test you to calculate your total body fat. Work out for 30-60 days and go back to see if anything has changed. Even if your weight changes or doesn't, if you haven't been able to decrease your overall body fat, then you aren't gaining lean body mass (LBM). In fact, there are many cases that I have seen women lose 10 lbs but there overall body fat was unchanged. This means, that your body lost weight by losing LBM. The lower the LBM, the slow your metabolism, the lower it will take to lose weight, the quicker you will plateau and so forth. I can't tell you how many people I have worked with that have hit a plateau and each time, we increased their calories and the weight loss started again. You may just have not hit that point yet but I would highly suggest you reconsider your method.

    Beside, if you can eat more food and lose just as much weight, why wouldn't you?


    Hope this is helpful, I just want to make sure you aren't hurting your body. Below are some links with some good information in them. Enjoy


    http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/reference_calorie.asp

    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/bmr/

    http://www.cordianet.com/calculator.htm
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