WEIGHT LOSS FAQs

1) What is hCG?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or hCG is a hormone present in both men and women. It is found in higher levels in pregnant women due to increased amounts produced by the placenta.

2) Is hCG safe for men?

Yes. The hCG used in the weight loss program is already present in men and non-pregnant women. It is simply produced in excess during pregnancy. Men and women will both lose weight with the hCG diet.

3) With the hCG diet, how much weight will I lose?

Most hCG patients lose 1-2 lbs per day. Weight loss may range from ½ pound to 3 pounds per day. Usually one pound is lost after the loading phase on the first day.

You may ensure your weight loss goals by increasing your vegetable intake. It is important to eat high-fiber foods, which will help you feel full. Drink water to aid in removing fat from the body.

After about 6 weeks, the body becomes immune to the effects of hCG. Patients with more than 40 pounds to lose will have to wait 6 weeks before starting a new hCG series.

4) Is it safe to lose 1-2 lbs a day with hCG?

Weight loss with hCG is due to loss of adipose fat tissue, not lean muscle. This means you lose fat and not the valuable muscle and necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain good health.  

However, excessive amounts of fat-stored nutrients are released into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the body. For this reason, hCG dieters look and feel healthy. Patients lose the negative health risks compared to when they were overweight.

5) Why the 500 calorie diet?

hCG shots spur your body to move fat from the storage areas in your body, making it available for the body to use. But, this only works if your body recognizes a drop in calories to lead to weight loss.

While you are only consuming 500 calories per day, your body continues to release fat from the stores in your body. Because of this, your body is running on thousands of calories of fat per day causing patients to lose 1-2 pounds of fat daily.

6) What can I eat on the hCG Diet’s 500 calorie program?

Portion control and healthy eating are key. With this weight management program, you may eat:

• 2 servings per day of lean chicken, white fish, lean beef, egg whites, crab, lobster, shrimp, and scallops for your protein. 
• Non-starchy vegetables include lettuce, green beans, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, spinach or tomatoes.
• 2 fruit servings per day or 2 fat free Melba toasts per day. Fruit choices include apples, oranges, a handful of grapes, or 3-5 strawberries. 
• 1T of fat free milk daily. 
• Spices, mustard, and the juice of 1 lemon each day. 
• Unlimited unsweetened tea and water are allowed

7) Will I be hungry if I only eat 500 calories a day?

You may feel mild hunger during the first few days as your body gets used to the adjustment. However, this will pass. As you get into the plan, you may find the small servings satisfying. This is due to your adjusted metabolic rate and the large amount of calories circulating due to the release of fat.

hCG dieters often feel they are stuffing themselves just to reach that 500 calorie limit. However, if you do not follow the plan’s protocol perfectly, you may experience hunger. Contact us if you are still hungry and are following the protocol. We may recommend an appetite suppressant.

8) Wouldn’t eating only 500 calories a day cause weight loss anyway?

Sure, you would lose weight, but not as much. Your metabolism would slow down and you would plateau faster. You may lose weight quickly at first but then the loss slows and it seems like you can’t lose anymore regardless of your diet and activity level. 

Severe calorie cuts should only be done under a doctor’s guidance and are not advised on your own. Our weight control program is medically supervised to ensure your health and safety.

9) Can I buy hCG online or without a prescription?

Authentic hCG is a controlled substance. You can only legally get it via a physician’s prescription. hCG that you purchase or find online without a doctor’s prescription is not authentic hCG. 

Don’t take that risk! If you are serious about losing weight, do so safely under the care of a physician.

10) Who is a qualified candidate for the hCG diet?

Most men and women can use hCG for weight loss. However, patients should always speak with their physician if they are ready to start a weight loss regimen. The doctor can ensure the hCG diet is appropriate. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or plan to become pregnant are not candidates for this program.

hCG only burns excess reserve fat, so very thin patients will not continue to lose weight on hCG. While it can be used by most people, those with less than 15 pounds to lose will still have to complete the 23 days of program protocol.

HCG is very effective for people who follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen but cannot get rid of the last few pounds to achieve their target body weight.

11) Are there side effects of the hCG diet?

When used for weight loss, side effects of the hCG injections or oral hCG are rare. However, women should consider using birth control as hCG can increase fertility.

12) Will I regain weight after completing the hCG diet?

After completing the hCG weight loss program, you will notice a reduced appetite and a faster metabolism. A normal amount of physical activity will help in maintaining a healthy weight. Your metabolism will reset so you can eat moderately without overeating.

13) What is the maintenance program?

The maintenance program should be followed after the hCG protocol to set your metabolism. Without this, you would start eating back the way you did before the diet and would regain the weight faster because your metabolism hasn’t fully reset to the new higher calorie level. The maintenance program may take 3-9 months depending on how easily you can maintain your weight.

When you come off the hCG protocol, you will begin the maintenance program. Here, you will gradually add complex carbohydrates, fruits, and starchy foods into your diet. This is a slow process that takes at least 3 weeks. An evaluation will be done of your calorie needs at your new weight to determine your recommended intake. 

During the maintenance phase, you will monitor your weight and note any gains when new foods are reintroduced. If a particular food causes a gain, it is removed from your diet until it no longer causes a gain. We recommend weight check-ins and getting lipotropic and B12 injections during the maintenance phase.

14) What does the program consist of?

The entire program, including the maintenance regimen, takes at least 3 months. How long you will use hCG will depend on your goals. 

• Up to 15 pounds: hCG for 23 days
• 15-40 pounds: hCG for 40 days
• More than 40 pounds: The protocol will be repeated until the desired weight loss is achieved. 

During your consultation, you will meet with our medical team to discuss your health history including medical issues. We will request the necessary tests and will give you instructions on how to take your hCG injections or sublingual. You will be given vitamin injections monthly and Lipotropic injections during your weekly check in appointment.

15) You have a support team!

In any weight loss program, dieting is much more effective when you have support every step of the way. At Metrolina Medical Associates, we will guide you through every step. If you have a problem, you can call us and we will help you through it. 

Also, you will be supervised by Dr. Kedar and all of our staff to make sure everything goes smoothly. We will provide you with tips on how to succeed with maximum weight loss with this weight loss plan and provide a quality pharmaceutical hCG.  Also, you will check in weekly with our staff to weigh in and ask any questions. We find that the “weigh in” is necessary in keeping dieters accountable. 

If you are serious about making a change in your health and your body, our experienced staff is ready to assist you in reaching and maintaining your goal weight.

16) When can I schedule my appointment?

Visit our contact us page. We will be happy to schedule an appointment to get you started! Your first visit will be an introductory consultation and information session, followed by an evaluation, weigh in and your first week of HCG.

Take your first step toward your new, fit and confident self! Ask us about our HCG weight loss program in Rock Hill and Charlotte! Although HCG is approved by the FDA for other medical purposes, it is not approved in treating obesity.