HCG Weight Loss Injection FAQ
What is hCG?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, more commonly known as hCG, is a hormone produced by the placenta during the early stages of pregnancy. hCG has various medical applications including use as a fertility drug and as a rapid weight loss aid. For more general hCG information, please visit our information about hCG for weight loss page.
Is it safe to use hCG injections for weight loss?
Yes. Though it has not been approved specifically for weight loss, hCG is FDA approved for various other medical applications. In fact, hCG is used in much higher doses as a fertility hormone. When used for weight loss, hCG produces little or no side effects.
How much weight will I lose on the hCG diet?
The average hCG dieter will lose about a pound per day, though some do lose as much as two pounds per day.
Is it safe to lose 1-2 pounds per day using hCG shots?
Yes. HCG helps mobilize the body’s fat stores, making them bio-available, or useable as an energy source. This function of hCG prevents the body from harmfully using muscle and other stored nutrients as energy during low caloric intake. For more information on how hCG makes rapid weight loss safe, visit our page on Low Calorie Diets vs. the hCG Diet.
Is a VLCD (very low calorie diet) necessary for hCG injections to work?
Yes. In order for hCG to be effective for weight loss, it is important to create a caloric deficit. HCG then works to mobilize fat stores for use as energy, burning off the fat. If there is no decrease in calories coming into the body, it will have no reason to burn the mobilized fat instead, resulting in no weight loss. The typical hCG diet requires a daily intake of about 500 – 800 calories. For more information on how hCG makes rapid weight loss safe, visit our page on Low Calorie Diets vs. the hCG Diet.
Will I be hungry on a 500 – 800 calorie diet?
Most hCG dieters report little to no increase in hunger when receiving hCG injections. This is because hCG releases fat stores, which increases the amount of calories available to your body as fuel. When mixed with a low calorie diet, hCG and your body’s own fat deposits make up the remaining calories needed to feel normal. HCG also has an effect on the hypothalamus gland, helping to reset your metabolism and decrease food cravings.
Are hCG shots a “magic” weight loss cure?
NO. In fact, hCG is only effective for weight loss when combined with the right lifestyle modifications. Think of your body as an automobile; it has many intricate pieces and parts that must all work together to function properly. Now, think of hCG as a screwdriver. Could you fix an automobile with only a screwdriver? Obviously not. HCG injections are one of the tools Austin Wellness Clinic uses to help people safely lose weight fast, but is a part of a much larger picture. The hCG weight loss programs at Austin Wellness Clinic will not only help you lose weight quickly, but more importantly, safely and with lasting effects. Our patients consistently keep their weight off longer than the rest because we give them ALL of the tools – not just the screwdriver.
Will I be able to keep the weight off after the hCG diet?
Yes. The hCG diet is designed to help you not only lose weight quickly, but keep it off. HCG has an effect on the hypothalamus gland, helping to reset your metabolic rate (point at which you burn fat instead of sugar), reduce cravings for fatty foods, and lower overall appetite. Most graduates of the hCG diet find it much easier to keep weight off after the program than other forms of dieting.
Who is eligible for hCG weight loss injections?
Most men and women are candidates for the hCG diet. Austin Wellness Clinic’s practitioners will determine individual eligibility for hCG weight loss shots based on your initial physical and lab work. Women that are pregnant or nursing are NOT eligible candidates for hCG injections or oral treatment.
Are hCG weight loss shots safe for men?
Yes. The same hCG used for weight loss is already present in all human tissue in both men and women and when used in such low doses has virtually no side effects. In fact, men often see amazing results using hCG injections for weight loss.
Are the hCG weight loss injections painful?
Typically, patients say the hCG injections are virtually painless due to the extremely small needle size. Even people who were originally afraid of injections routinely report the ease of administering hCG injections for weight loss. In the event that hCG shots are too uncomfortable, Austin Wellness Clinic offers oral hCG for weight loss as well.
How can I tell if a weight loss clinic offering the hCG diet is legitimate?
As the hCG diet becomes more popularized as a marketing “flash” term, it is important to make the distinction between a legitimate source of hCG and one that is not. A legitimate weight loss clinic is a licensed medical facility that is comprised of licensed medical practitioners, including a medical doctor. All testing is reviewed by a doctor and prescriptions are made for medication that is manufactured in the United States.
NOTICE: hCG is a prescription hormone and can only be prescribed by, and used under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor. Websites offering hCG shots as a “gift” or selling non-prescription hCG are nearly always illegitimate, dispensing substances that are typically not hCG and sometimes dangerous.
Is Austin Wellness Clinic a licensed medical clinic?
Yes. Austin Wellness Clinic is a fully functioning integrative medical clinic with licensed and insured practitioners including a medical doctor, physician’s assistants, chiropractor, and clinical nutritionists.
Is hCG therapy covered by my insurance?
Because insurance plans vary so widely, there is no concrete answer. Some plans will cover hCG therapy, some won’t. Generally, hCG therapy and other preventive treatment is less likely to be covered by the average insurance plan. Though Austin Wellness Clinic does not bill insurance on your behalf, Austin Wellness Clinic will provide you with the necessary CPT and ICD-9 codes so that you may seek reimbursement from your insurance company.
Does Austin Wellness Clinic accept insurance for its hCG weight loss program?
No. Austin Wellness Clinic is an out of network provider, and does not file any insurance claims on your behalf. However, Austin Wellness Clinic will provide you with the necessary CPT and ICD-9 codes so that you may seek reimbursement.
How much does hCG therapy cost?
Unlike many businesses offering hCG shots for weight loss, Austin Wellness Clinic does not offer hCG injections as a standalone weight loss product. HCG shots are most effective when used as an adjunct to a lifestyle change. As such, Austin Wellness Clinic will tailor a wellness weight loss program to fit your specific needs, using hCG injections as a safe way to accelerate weight loss. Due to the wide variance in recommended testing and people’s specific goals and needs, there is no one-size-fits-all program. Austin Wellness Clinic invites you to come in for a FREE consultation to address your weight loss and health goals individually, where cost will be determined based on your needs. We tailor programs to fit most budgets.
Is hCG Approved by the FDA for Weight Loss?
Legal Notice and Disclaimer: The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has not approved Human Chorionic Gonaditropin ("HCG") for use in weight loss treatment. The use of HCG for weight loss is an "off label" use, which means that it is considered safe when prescribed by and under the guidance of a licensed physician.
HCG is FDA-approved to treat health conditions other than weight loss, and has been in existence to do so for over 45 years. Because an individual’s weight loss depends on a number of factors, Austin Wellness Clinic DOES NOT guarantee any specific weight loss result. Information provided on this website is based on analysis of scientific studies, historical research, and results from other former HCG patients. Additional information is available upon request.
How do I sign up for the hCG weight loss program at Austin Wellness Clinic?
Contact us through our website or call 512.473.8900 to schedule a Free Consultation. You will meet with one of our doctors or program coordinators to answer any questions you have about hCG for weight loss, address your goals, and set up an individualized program.
