Is hCG safe?
Yes, it is very safe. Large amounts of hCG are released during pregnancy without any harmful side effects. The amount of hCG used in weight loss programs is only a fraction of what is naturally released in pregnancy. The only contraindications for the use of hCG are any hormone related cancer, an allergy to hCG, or precocious puberty in teenagers.

Why don't pregnant women lose weight if they have large amounts of hCG circulating in their bodies?
The hormone hCG works to mobilize and burn fat for the body to use when there is a significant decrease in calories and fat. The body must go into a starvation state from a low calorie diet, for the hCG to work. This offers a protective mechanism in pregnancy, especially for women who do not know they are pregnant, and live in poor economic status where they may not have enough food available to them. Most pregnant women do not fall into this category and do not lose weight due to adequate dietary intake, but instead gain weight appropriate for the growth of the baby. For weight loss, we use a very low calorie diet to stimulate hCG to help rid the body of fat.

Will the low calorie diet cause my metabolism slow down?
The normal response to a low calorie diet (seen as starvation by the body), is to store fat and slow metabolism to ensure survival. However, when hCG is used in conjunction with a low calorie diet, the body's excess fat reserves are burned as energy to support its needs. This prevents our bodies from storing fat and our metabolism from slowing down during the short period of time while on the VLCD and hCG.

If I eat a low calorie diet without hCG, will I lose the same amount of weight?
No, because on a low calorie diet without hCG, you body goes into "starvation mode," as mentioned above. In this mode your body is programmed to store fat instead of burning it, in order to create reserves to make it through the period of starvation. Then when the VLCD ends, the body will store even more fat as normal calorie consumption begins, to prepare for the next possible period of starvation. This is the common cycle people tend to fall into when dieting, and this is the reason they never keep the weight off. With hCG, your body is stimulated to burn fat during the low calorie period, so it does not fall into the cycle of storing fat as reserves. This will keep you from storing unwanted fat during the diet, and from having a rebound weight gain after the diet has ended.

Will I get hungry on the low calorie hCG assisted diet?
This will vary for each person. Some people get hungry, and some don't. The hCG is stimulating your body to burn fat as energy, so your body's energy needs are being met. This will help to reduce hunger in most people, because the body has plenty of energy to use (hunger is a reflex to let you know your body needs energy). Therefore, the body does not need to stimulate the hunger reflex as a response to low energy in the system.

Will I be depleted of vitamins and nutrients on hCG and the restricted calories?
First, you must remember, the restricted low calorie diet is only for a short period of time. Second, every time you lose a pound of fatty tissue, which will happen almost daily, only the actual fat is burned up. All the vitamins, proteins, and minerals contained in the tissue are fed back into the body. Fat cells contain an abundance of nutrients, and that is why the body uses them as reserves.

Will hCG interfere with any medication I am currently taking, including birth control pills or Depo-Provera injections?
HCG does not interfere with birth control. A member of our clinical staff will conduct a medical evaluation including blood work, as well as assess your medications and determine if any health conditions and/or medications are contraindicated, or may hinder the results of your program. 

Will there be any changes in my menstrual cycle while I am taking hCG?
Patients should not experience any changes in their menstrual cycle, because the amount of hCG being used is very small. It also does not increase the chances of becoming pregnant or affect your ability to become pregnant while taking the hormone. It is not an acceptable treatment for a woman who is already pregnant or trying to become pregnant, due to the low calorie diet and hormone use. Even though hCG is supposed to be a protective mechanism during times of starvation for pregnant women, we do not want to run the risk of a woman losing her pregnancy due to restrictive calories.  Please discuss any desire to become pregnant with our physicians to determine the right time for you to begin your program.

Why are some people calling hCG the "weight loss cure"?
HCG is also being called the "Weight Loss Cure," because after taking it for weight loss, it reprograms your body to use stored fat for energy when calories are reduced for a period of time. It helps you maintain your weight and not regain the pounds you've lost. This is generally the opposite of what most people have experienced with dieting, and this leads them to think of the hCG diet as the cure to weight loss problems.

How much weight will I lose on the program?
The average amount of weight loss is between 10 to 25 pounds for the four-week program. This varies from individual to individual, and the closer you are to your body's ideal weight, the slower you will lose weight. The slowest loser usually loses about 1/2 a pound a day.  Some patients may require the program more than once.

Does weight loss slow down after the first month?
Most people will have a large amount of weight loss in the beginning, and then they begin to level off or plateau. This does not mean they stop losing weight, only that they are losing it at a slower rate (but most importantly, they are still losing). Some patients opt to do a second round of hCG, and during this time period, they can have another large drop in weight, followed by a leveling off stage as well.

Can men use the hCG program?
Yes, men can safely use the program, as long as they do not have a hormone dependant cancer (such as prostate cancer). Now, hCG is NOT a sex hormone, and its actions are identical in men, women, and children. Through an indirect path from the brain, hCG regulates menstruation and facilitates conception, but it never virilizes a woman or feminizes a man.

What blood work do I need before starting the program and why?
We run basic blood work, which includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC), and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), a Thyroid panel (TSH and total T4) may also be recommended. The purpose of this is to ensure there are no unknown underlying medical issues before beginning the diet, such as a liver or organ disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, or electrolyte imbalances. The lab work may be ordered through us or a copy may be provided if run with in the last three months.   

What does a restrictive low calorie diet mean?
When referring to the program we prefer to use these terms rather than the actual number of calories consumed.  A diet is provided with choices within each allowed food group.  Resources are also provided with a list for preparation.  This program should not be considered in times of intense emotional or physical stress or if following a short term lifestyle restriction may be compromised.  We want you to succeed so planning is key.

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