Thread: Surgery and HCG

Originally Posted by Leez

After reading the report from your doctor, I'm concerned about your decision to continue. I understand all the reasons why, but you may be putting your healing in jeopardy or at least slowing it down considerably. Your surgery was more complicated and invasive than most hysterectomies. You gave your body less than 4 weeks to recover. Does your doctor know you are doing the HCG diet?

The problem is that the protein levels of the menu are at the barest minimum of protein requirements. And protein is required for proper healing.

You also don't seem to be in a good place mentally if you are dreading each day already. It takes determination to continue at this level of deprivation even if everything is going well. I find it helps me with mindset to plan some self-pampering activities each day. A hot bath, or a nice cup of tea in a flavor that you love can work. Just something that you can look forward to as a reward for getting through another day.

If you decide to continue, one suggestion would be to add a cup of bone broth each day to increase protein at least somewhat. And its a nice way to end the day. I have done this myself and it doesn't change how the diet works. Account for the calories as part of the 500 you are allowed. Do not borrow calories from your protein portsion to make up for it. But in your case, I would encourage you to drink several cups of bone broth a day even if it takes you over the 500 calories.

No, she doesn't know, I don't see her being on board at all. I would LOVE to stop but I know if I do that now I'll never do it again. My first round 10 years ago was horrible, trying a 3rd would be beyond what I can convince myself to do.

Mentally I'm in a terrible place. I had myself committed in August, spent a week in the hospital. I'm hoping getting this weight off will improve my mental state, my disgust with myself feeds into my inate stubbornness. Even when I starved literally every day the whole round last time I never cheated or faltered so I'm not worried about that. Though I am concerned what my mental state will be if I finish this with less than average results.

I'm always under 500 calories, I think because I only do 1 fruit and don't do the breadsticks/toast, so I would have a little room but with the yo-yo this has been I'm so nervous about doing anything off-protocol. I can tough it out if things take a little longer to heal as long as the hcg is successful. It's the part where there's no guarantee this will do anything that has me dreaming of stopping.

Originally Posted by Leez

Perfect that you already have a calorie deficit you can use.

Bone broth is not off protocol. You can make it yourself if you want to control the ingredients. It can be easily made in a crockpot, instapot or even stovetop with chicken or beef bones and a couple T. vinegar. (The vinegar is necessary to pull the protein out of the bones.) Be sure to chill and then remove all the fat that solidifies at the top. The part you want to use will gel into a soft jello consistency. My suggestion is to have it at a different meal than your other two proteins for best absorption.

Alternate ways to get more pure protein would be collagen or gelatin.

When you went through your last round hungry the whole time, you did not get the full result of the HCG. You were burning the wrong kind of fat and also burning muscle. That harms your metabolism, and because you have less muscle afterwards, you gain weight more easily. This makes regain almost inevitable.

You won't have that experience this time if your dose is correct and you are not dealing with extreme hunger.

*If* I stopped now, do I still do the 3 weeks of phase 3? My husband was just here for lunch and is also urging I stop, apparently I look as bad as I feel today.

Originally Posted by mrsstrong

Kelsey, for healing, you need more protein than the RDA. The fat that you burn on the protocol has nothing but energy, no building blocks. I would seriously consider stopping, taking where you end up with strength and courage, and focus on proper healing. You are more than what you are right now. Think long term. Do you have a therapist now who can help you through? Losing weight definitely helps with feeling better, I won't deny that. But eating healthy and having support so that you can heal and then do the diet will make you feel even better!

Thank you, I needed to hear that no matter what I decide to do. I do have a therapist, it's mandatory on release from the hospital but I haven't had a session since before surgery which I'm sure isn't helping.

Originally Posted by Leez

I'm glad to see you are considering stopping until you are in a better place both in healing and in mental outlook. I believe God often speaks to us through our husbands, so his concern could be a special message being sent to you.

It might be helpful to continue with a P3 as it may help in losing a bit more just from the sugar/starch restriction. I am sure it really bothers you that still haven't lost all your load weight. P3 foods can provide sufficient protein to help with healing. Aim for a minimum of about 1 gram protein per kilo body weight, so probably aiming for around 80-100 would put you in a good range . Try to include cuts of meat that have lots of connective tissue (thankfully those are all the cheaper cuts), and eat the chicken skin and salmon skin if you can.

However, even a perfect P3 won't help you stabilize because you haven't been on the protocol long enough for that. The minimum round length that allows you to stabilize is 23 doses. Even so, we see better stabilization after 30 doses.

I would wait a couple months after finishing P3 before you consider starting another round. You should be in a much better place by then.

I agree, and he definitely doesn't want me doing it. He doesn't like HCG in general but right now it's genuine concern for my health so I'm sure he's right. I'm still starving today after having an apple and a big bowl of cabbage soup for lunch. Even those my dose seemed perfect the last few days. It doesn't make any sense to me.