I am aware that the studies showed no improvement in weight loss over a placebo.  Yet, inexplicably the weight does come off.

I think most people, including doctor oz and my own doctor, would not take the homeopathic version.

Karen, honestly -- if you are looking for a placebo, will you please reconsider my offer to chant incantations on your behalf in exchange for $500/week?

It could be good.  For both of us. 

500 calorie diet = inexplicable weight loss???  Are you ******g KIDDING me??

Of course it comes off, no matter whether you are using HCG or not.  And, whether you are using it or not, it comes RIGHT BACK when you stop eating only 500 cal/day.

PT Barnum said it over 100 years ago: There's a sucker born every minute.

Meh. Let her waste her money.

Wait, am I understanding this correctly?  You are "aware that the studies showed NO improvement in weight loss over a placebo" which shows that calorie-restriction, not the hormone injections, caused the weight loss.  But you then turn around and say that you want to try it anyway?  That makes no sense.  By your own comments, the hormone component of this plan has been proven ineffective.  If you want to do a starvation diet, go ahead.  There is some evidence to suggest that calorie-restriction and consumption of only nutrient-dense foods improves health and longevity, and you can't help but lose weight on only 500 calories per day.  However, if you expect to take this hormone and magically lose hunger, lose weight, and then continue eating as you are now without immediately regaining all of that weight, you are mistaken,

I have no illusions that my/our attempts to change the OP's mind will work but for the sake of ANYONE ELSE considering this, Dr. Oz is not 100% behind this. At best, he says further studies are needed. IMO, he did the show just for the money, as the writer of this article suggests.


http://www.celebritydietdoctor.com/dr-ozs-hcg-diet-controver sy/

Dr. Oz’s HCG Diet Controversy

by Shannon on March 17, 2011

The pregnancy hormone diet (HCG diet)has been reported to aid with rapid weight loss, but it has also been slammed by several experts as being medically unsound.  Dr. Oz is the latest medical expert to have a say on the subject.

“Initially, this diet may help you rapidly drop pounds. Ultimately, it destroys your metabolism, as you are essentially starving yourself," says Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz also claims that the diet is a bad idea because it causes loss of muscle mass and that this loss of muscle mass means that the body can no longer effectively burn calories.

Yet, after saying all this, Dr. Oz still devoted an entire show to the subject, allowing dieters and HCG providers to talk about why they believe the diet works.

And, despite his belief that the diet is a bad idea, Dr. Oz seems to suggest he might be changing his opinion by stating the diet needs further study and that it might possibly be worth a try.  He even goes so far as to wonder if future research on the diet might help lead to an obesity cure.

These statements are in direct conflict with his belief that the diet is a bad idea, causing critics to say that Dr. Oz is simply selling out for the sake of his show.

Has he sold out, pushing unhealthy diet ideas for the sake of a dollar?

 

Actually, if you watched the show you would realize that there are two types of hcg.  One is the homeopathic version which dr oz is not supportive of.  The other pharma grade hcg is working and that is the one he said "is worth a try".

Honestly Karen

The Key is not HCG but its the Phentermine they prescribe along with it.They have to give you a appetite suppressant in order for you not to claw your eyes out over the small amt of food you will be eating.

The effects of Phentermine doesn't last long at all!

 Karen, call me crazy but if you ate 500 calories a day, and did NOT shoot yourself up with some hormone, would you NOT also loose weight????????
Tracy C

I guess if you could keep doing it for the long haul.  Supposedly this stuff makes you feel full -- making the 500 calories manageable.  Actually my weigh****chers lady is always talking about 'starvation mode' and if you don't eat enough you won't lose.  But that sure doesn't explain what happens after RNY either.

In the HCG forums I have been monitoring there is shockingly little discussion of hunger.  Especially after the first few days, they say if you have hunger you need to adjust your dosage.  Some of the people claim they can't get up to 500 calories!  It is hard to believe.