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Does anyone have any experience using the HCG Weight Loss plan?

By January 5, 2010 - 8:19pm
 
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I've just met with my doctor about my weight gain. Last year about this time, I went into menopause. I stopped having my period, stopped sleeping through the night, lost a lot of hair, my skin went dry, I noticed patches of brown spots appearing on my face and hands, I lost my interest in intimacy with my husband, I forgot simple things like "why did I walk into this room again?", I was irritable, and I gained about 20 pounds! It was about this time that I read a book by Suzanne Somers called "Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness." She talked about using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and in a rhythmic dosage rather than a static dosage. I talked to my doctor about it and she prescribed an estriol cream to be taken vaginally 1-2x per week as needed, and a progesterone cream to be taken for two weeks on and two weeks off. She also prescribed melatonin and 5htp to help me sleep. I'd also read about L-Arginine to help with hot flashes. Those things helped but didn't fully alleviate my symptoms so I kept doing research on menopause and it's symptoms. I found a method of dosage and delivery for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy called The Wiley Protocol and asked my doctor about it. She had JUST heard about it herself. So, we agreed to embark on the adventure of trying it to help me. So far it's worked to alleviate all of my symptoms with the exception of my WEIGHT! ARg.

So, I went through the same steps of research and found a hormone called HCG for weight loss, did my homework and learned that my own doctor prescribes it! Thus, starting tomorrow, I will be injecting myself with this hormone that is only produced by pregnant women. Ironically, two other women in my office are also starting this very weight loss plan this week. I'm just looking for others online who have had experience with this and what they have to say about it.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to DanielJay1964)

I do believe the fat is worse for our body sir. In the long run it won't be the diets that kill us but the weight. It's nice that you and you wife are so passionate about you feelings on this diet, but like most things until you have done it or been there yourself....just sayin.
This is a site for women to support one another not hear "scary" false claims.
I hate seeing this comment when I come to this site for support..
Can I request the creator of this site delete it?
Thanks

February 23, 2011 - 4:34pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to DanielJay1964)

I do believe the fat is worse for our body sir. In the long run it won't be the diets that kill us but the weight. It's nice that you and you wife are so passionate about you feelings on this diet, but like most things until you have done it or been there yourself....just sayin.
This is a site for women to support one another not hear "scary" false claims that have no actual studied backgrounds, because HCG in injection form or oral is too new to the U.S.

Thanks

February 23, 2011 - 4:34pm
(reply to Anonymous)

We own a medical clinic and have performed trials using HCG as well as documented and followed patients coming to our clinic that have gone through the HCG protocol at other clinics. 90% have gained the weight back after 6 months, having not changed their lifestyle choices. Regarding fat being worse for the body 'sir'. Rapid fat loss causes a release of toxicity to the body that can cause sickness or disease. We have had colleagues have to stop the protocol as their patients got too sick to continue. The research we have reviewed goes back 60 years and includes research in this country as well as other countries. Please find me a peer reviewed medical study that shows HCG has any affect taken orally. I'm not making any false or scary claims. HGG is more than likely harmless. It also has no benefit at the dosage prescribed and other than Simmeons and his followers, no study has shown any advantages over a low calorie diet, pure and simple. Women need to be supported. This support comes in the form of educating women to make an informed decision about their health 'sir'. Although certainly not a fan of the FDA, there is a reason that since 1975, the FDA requires the following information to be given with any HCG advertised or promoted for weight loss:

HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. 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.

February 23, 2011 - 5:23pm

Thanks - will look into the Wiley Protocol. I did read through Pounds and Inches on the internet. It is a very specific routine-diet. I think I will join Facebooks and I did listen to a few videos on YouTube. Really, really interesting. Thanks much - I've passed on this information to other women I work with and let them know all about EmpowerHER - this is a great learning experience!

May 8, 2010 - 8:12am
(reply to Johannes)

Johannes,

We have a thread on EmpowHer that's been quite active with women sharing their experiences on the Wiley Protocol. It may interest you! Here it is:

https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/have-you-had-experience-wiley-protocol

May 14, 2010 - 8:39am

Hi everyone -

I stumbled over this website after searching "menopause belly". After reading a posting, I immediately joined. This is my second day, and I'm very excited. I am 48 years old, wife and mother of 2 boys. The past 2 years have been horrible. My body has a mind of its own, and I have this belly that I never had before - I look like I'm 5-6 months pregnant. I just changed jobs and am back working in a very professional office with visitors and employees from all around the world. I can't fit into any of my good clothes and had to buy all new - my husband keeps telling me to take my other clothes to a tailor and get them "let out". What a joke! I have a small frame and when I gain 5 pounds - I go up a size and I turn into godzilla. I don't even know how much weight I have gained, because I'm too scared to get on the scale. Anyway, I am going to do the research on HCG. I have an appt. with my OBGYN next month and will talk to her about this diet and injections. I am currently taking bio-identical hormones for about a year - but truthfully - I don't really feel like they are helping. I still don't have much energy or motivation. My hair seems like it's become thinner, my skin is different (breakouts too), and I don't like to look at my body (I jump into the shower and when finished, I wrap a towel around me). I exercize on my Norditrak and do stretches. Will someone or all of you tell me how you are currently doing on this weight loss system. I'm a little nervous about injections. Plus, don't you have to be careful with certain vitamins so you don't harm your body? I would LOVE to hear from you ladies - I'm inspired!!! Thanks much!!!

May 2, 2010 - 6:47am
(reply to Johannes)

Hi Joannes, it sounds like something is wrong with your hormone dosage. You might want to look into The Wiley Protocol which is what I'm doing. It alleviated ALL of my menopausal symptoms except the sudden weight gain. That's why I turned to HCG. But you don't have to do injections, you can do under the tongue drops. Check out all of the youtube vlogs of those who have or are doing the hcg diet, and there is also a lot of us on facebook. Having the support system of so many others who are doing this diet is absolutely essential imho. It's very simple but not easy. First read "Pounds and Inches" by Dr. Simeons. You can find by doing a google search. I've also got it available for download on my website:

(Link removed by EmpowHER moderator)

May 2, 2010 - 7:12pm
(reply to nanashana)

There is not one study on the entire planet that shows that the HCG molecule can be absorbed orally and have any affect in the blood based on testing. It doesn't happen, study after study has proved this. You WILL lose weight on a 500 calorie a day diet, with or without HCG. We've had over a dozen of our patients who have gone through the protocol (at other clinics) and 11 of those have regained all their weight within about 4 months. Some of them are showing symptoms of severe calorie deprivation (hair loss, etc) six months after they went on a very low calorie diet. None of them addressed their underlying eating issues and went back to eating the same way they ate that made them overweight in the first place. It's not the HCG. It's the calorie restriction. Our clinic has collected the studies cited from so called HCG clinics, and what we've discovered (by actually reading them) is that most of the studies actually show that HCG worked no better than a placebo. So called HCG clinics are charging from 500 - 1500 dollars. A six week supply of injectible HCG costs that clinic between $30 and $50. Congrats on your successful weight loss... but unless you completely change the relationship with food that made you overweight in the first place it's likely to come back.

February 23, 2011 - 9:16am

Thank you..I cant wait to start my blog on my progress.

PS..did you gain any weight back?

April 16, 2010 - 7:24am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to [email protected])

Hi Karen,
I stayed within 5 lbs of my end weight and that was over a 6 weeks period and losing 34 lbs.That's 6 weeks no starch no sugar. I never did a steak day, which is where if you are over 2 lbs of your end weight (34lb) then you don't eat all day and then have the biggest steak you can get down for dinner. I just could never starve all day to get to the steak sadly :(, but I still felt I did okay staying within the 5 lbs.I am now on my second round and am down 26lbs in 15 days! so, not too shabby!
Good luck Karen! keep us posted!

April 16, 2010 - 9:14am
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