Common HCG Questions

Can I take the drops longer than 40 days?

You can take them up to 40 days and as few as 20, but you must then take a break for however many days you were on the drops before you start another session. This is to make sure your body doesn’t become immune to the HCG. You will need three bottles to go a full 40-day round.

How much weight can I expect to lose on the program?

On average, women lose 20 to 30 pounds per month and men lose about 30 to 40 pounds per month. Some people lose as many as 10 to 12 pounds the first week, but the average is 5 to 7 pounds or a pound a day.

Does the weight loss slow down?

Often a large amount of weight is lost in the first month, and then the actual pounds seen on the scale decreases in a more gradual, stairstep fashion. Both pounds and inches are continuously lost while on the program, and after a period of time most people experience another large drop on the scale, in clothes size, or both.

Is HCG safe for men?

HCG is found in the tissue of both fetus (of either gender) and mother during pregnancy. Dr. Simeons actually developed the HCG diet for obese boys, and men get even faster results and tend to lose more weight than women on the program.

What if I am taking medications?

Always talk to your prescribing doctor before starting a weight-loss program or before stopping medications. In general, HCG does not interact with any medications, including the pill and birth control injections; however, people on hormone replacement therapy, steroids, seizure medications, and other prescriptions with “weight gain” as a possible side effect do not typically report positive results if they continue taking such medications on this protocol. Once again, talk to your prescribing doctor before beginning any weight-loss program.

What if I become pregnant?

First of all, congratulations! The HCG diet is not for pregnant women, and you should stop the program and consult your physician if you become pregnant while on it.

Is it OK to skip a meal or protein at one of my meals?

No. For the diet to be effective, it’s important to eat all 500 calories each day, and especially protein to prevent muscle loss.

Can you split up your fruits and eat them when you want?

You get two fruits each day and can eat them for breakfast or as a snack.

Will three bottles be enough for a full round?

Yes, it is enough for either the minimum 23 days or for the full 40-day program.

Is it normal to get headaches during the first week?

Light headaches during the first week are common because your body is releasing fat cells very rapidly and you will be going through a major detox. Take aspirin or Tylenol as long as they’re not sugar coated.

Can I drink alcohol on the HCG diet?

The original HCG diet protocol by does not mention alcohol.

Why is HCG called the weight-loss “cure”?

HCG is called a “cure” by some because it “reprograms” your body to use stored abnormal fat for energy when calories are reduced for a period of time. It helps you maintain your new weight, rather than regaining the pounds you lost.

Is it healthy to lose 1 to 2 pounds a day with HCG?

HCG weight loss studies have shown that weight lost following the Simeons protocol comes directly from adipose fat tissue rather than lean muscle. In doing so, the weight lost comes directly from fat and does not strip the body of much needed muscle, vitamins or minerals essential to maintain good health, while at the same time, releasing excessive amounts of fat-stored nutrients into the blood stream to be absorbed by the body. For this reason, HCG dieters report a feeling and appearance of great health and marvel at the loss of negative health risks they had as an overweight individual.

Why is the 500-calorie/Very Low Calorie Diet important?

HCG causes your hypothalamus to mobilize the fat out of the fat storage locations so that it’s available for use. While you are only consuming 500 calories, your hypothalamus is continually releasing the fat stored in your body. Because of this, your body is actually operating on thousands of calories a day. The result is your body using thousands of calories of fat from your body each day, the reason HCG dieters lose 1 to 2 pounds of fat or more, per day.

Will I be hungry on 500 calories a day?

It is common for mild hunger during the first few days. However this will pass by the 2nd week. You will find even very tiny servings, to be completely satisfying. This is partly due to your hypothalamus adjusting your metabolic rate, but largely due to the amount of calories circulating in your system from the fat being released. It is common that HCG dieters feel as though they are stuffing themselves in order to reach that 500 calorie limit.

Will I gain weight after I stop the HCG protocol?

After the HCG diet, you will find your appetite has changed, your eating behavior will be changed and your body will, of course, have changed. This is the perfect opportunity to adopt that healthy lifestyle to maintain your weight. You will find a minimum amount of exercise will be sufficient for maintaining a very healthy body-from yoga, to 20minutes of cardio a day, or whatever you enjoy that gets your heart moving. With your hypothalamus reset, your metabolism will be different and you will be able to eat  moderately without feeling the need to overeat.