HCG Diet Dangers: Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?

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Recently I have been looking into bariatric surgery so I have been doing quite a bit of research. Funny thing, after surgery whether a lap band, gastric sleeve or bypass, they all recommend a 500 calorie diet. I'd like to know why a 500 calorie diet is ok as a long term solution, but it's not ok with a six week hcg protocol? Just wondering!

Nancy Delgado of WA 11:28AM June 18, 2011

I've been on the hcg diet for about 40 days now (with a 5-day break in the middle because I was menstrating). I've lost a total of 16 pounds. I take my drops under the tongue 3 times a day, don't feel hungry, and am sticking to the 500 calorie-a-day diet pretty well. I did have headaches the first couple days, but that was from all the sugar withdrawls. I do get constipated every now and then, but I take a laxative and it seems to do the trick. I plan to stay on the plan until I reach a loss of 20 pounds. I'm not obese, just trying to lose the last bit of pregnancy weight. My mom lost 16 pounds on her 21-day hcg diet, and 2 friends from church lost a bunch of weight too. This is the first "fad" diet I've ever been on, and I tell everyone about it because I've seen so much success. Now, to keep it off, that's a whole other story...don't know how that will go.

Kay Sherwood of CA 4:50PM June 17, 2011

I have done five rounds of HCG and I'm down 100pounds and kept it all off. I even ate bad after the maintenance period. See my journey on Facebook JoAnne Payne

JoAnne of OR 3:55PM June 17, 2011

I am in my second cycle of HCG dieting. I previously lost 68# in one year- the hard way-dieting and extreme exercise. I know my metabolism was greatly improved and my eating habits are substantially better; however, I plateaued. I heard about many people trying HCG and losing the weight, but my brain told me this was not a healthy diet. I gave in and tried it when my weight loss stopped while following my previous diet plan. I lost another 26# in 34 days on the HCG diet. I have kept it off for 2 months. I'm on day 7 of my second cycle. I've lost 10.8# in those 7 days. I'm a believer. I follow Dr. Simeon's protocol and I drink water, tea, or coffee all day long. I'm not hungry. I don't have any of the side effects mentioned. I can't wait until I can go into the stores and buy a size small-maybe one more time on HCG after this to reach that goal. I can do anything for 40 days. I'm healthier, happier and the weight is coming off so much faster than through the traditional diet methods. HCG bashers need to get a life and leave us alone. How can losing weight be unhealthy when you weigh 205#? Which is the weight I was stuck at when trying HCG. I like the pounds falling off at 1-2 a day. It feels amazing.

Pam Twilleger of KS 2:54PM June 17, 2011

You would think that consuming only 500 calories a day would cause a person to lose weight. Are there any studies that prove the effectiveness of hcg if the individual consumes 1,000-1,200 calories daily?

Nancy M. of NY 10:54PM June 15, 2011

One more thing: Men and Women alike need to read Suzanne Somers book "Ageless". Bio identical hormones are the only way to go, the sooner the better.
We die unhealthy because our hormone levels are depleated because we are under stress and living longer.
Get your levels checked now, no matter how old you are!!

Bernadette Harris of NJ 12:39PM June 14, 2011

Although I cannot explain the science by how this works without having my book in front of me, I can tell you this. The diet consists of two days of eating anything and everything you want. That is the fat that you are currently storing to see you through the diet. While you are on the 500 calories the injections are enabling the stored/viseral fat to shed. My husband is giving me the injections each morning. The needle is very small and feels only like a pinch. The choices for diet are in four categories; protein, vegetables, fruits and miscellaneous which is Melba toast or Grissini. I purchased a HCG cook book and it is extremely informative and give lots of ideas.
I am in 6 days (counting the two "gorge" days) and have not experienced any hunger. I do feel a little light headed in the morning but once I drink my tea, it goes away. That is temporary until your body adjusts which will take about 3 or 4 days. I smell other foods that are not on the diet and they smell good, but that's it. I am, of course determined to lose this muffin top along with other weight that was gifted to me overnight by menopause, and am determined to stick to the diet.
The good news is the first morning on the scale I was down three pounds, the next day total of five, then seven. My doctor advises for 28 day round, then there is a maintenance phase, and then your done. It really is easy to follow. I have been able to cook healthier for my family while staying on my restrictions without changing their meals effortlessly. I can see my mid section changing already. It looks as if the fat is leaving my body from under my breasts and working it's way down.
I'll let you know that I am very healthy, I have taken vitamin supplements for over thirty years. I fast walk 3 miles at least 4 times a week. I've always tried to eat healthy, but the menopausal cravings just about did me in. I tried everything, weights, exercising, eating healthy, this works, nothing else did.
I will keep you informed on my results.

Bernadette Harris of NJ 12:29PM June 14, 2011

"thoroughly discredited and thus rejected by the majority of the medical community."? You mean the same "community" controlled by the largest lobbists in Washington? Those same people who want us all to be on drugs for every disese due to obesity? In the first place, this article is low on facts. In the second place, of COURSE they don't want us to lose weight naturally and be healthy! How else will they put us on all those meds? Let's hear more about the dangers of being overweight and poor eating from government funded farms over-producing such crops as corn, wheat and soy. How about more organic food and less crap? Then you can judge me for losing over 50 lbs and looking and feeling better than ever. And thousands of others, too. My Dr. is extremely happy with my results and so am I.

Margit Fields of CA 3:44PM June 09, 2011

Well I've done it 4 times now, down 45 lbs which seems easy to keep off. My doctor took me off my antihypertensive medication. I have more energy than ever and have had no side effects. I work in a busy operating room and can't afford blood sugar crashes, and I have had none. Several of our nurses have also had success that so far has lasted for a year and encouraged many of us to eat healthier now that we are not on drops. It's only 3 weeks, just long enough to change some poor eating habits. Hcg was in my body for 9 months with my pregnancies. Maybe it's time to study the drops and protocol together before dismissing it altogether.

Nancy of MO 6:39PM June 08, 2011

My wife and I just completed phase II without any major side effects. She lost 22 lbs and I lost 31 lbs. We learned a lot about nutrition along the way and plan to practice it, along with our workout plans. We both feel good and, if nothing else, this diet provided the perfect "kick-start" to a healthy life style.

rob of MD 4:53PM June 07, 2011