Dr Emma's plan

[SookieMama]

Originally Posted by usacoton

Hi Sookiemama!

How are you doing on weight loss and hunger? Are you on 275 now? Also meant to ask does she have you do a skip day each week? How long are you allowed to stay on HCG and follow vlcd.So appreciate the info.

So far, in two weeks, I've lost 12.4 lbs. which is amazing, if you think about it. If I continue to lose, even close to this rate, I will be fairly close to goal and I know I won't want to stop at 42 days. Which goes back to my questions above.

Congrats again on your weight loss and am looking forward to hearing your reply and weight loss update.

Juli

Hi Juli,
Thank you for your interest and I am happy to answer any and all questions!
*I am not yet up to 275iu's. I just started 250 iu's yesterday.
*I take my shot everyday, never skipping a day.
*She has her patients stay on the plan until they hit their goal weight. For me, today is day 35. This round will be up at day 49 (did a 21 day round at another clinic before starting her protocol). I have decided that I am going to continue on and do another round when this one is up, that will take me to April 26. When I get to that date I will assess and see if I want to do my probable last round or take a break. I am a believer that once you are on the program, use to the restrictions, cooking the food and motivated restarting would be very hard, at least for me it would be.
*Among other things, this week I had TOM, so this has been my slowest week of weight loss. I had a party to go to last night, which I am sure had an impact on my losses. I ate on protocol, brought my own chicken but I had a couple of drinks, which I was scared to death to do but ended up caving to peer pressure! I still lost .4 the next morning but I know it would have been more than that. .4 is a small loss for me. For those curious, I drank Vodka, Perrier and lemon. The ratio was a bit humorous, if I say so myself... it was 30 ounces Perrier to a shot of Vodka, needless to say I didn't get the slightest bit tipsy! I mixed it in my 32 ounce water tumbler so I would be sure to get plenty of H2O while drinking. In total I lost 4.2 lb's this past week.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Sounds like you have a great start to the program.

[SookieMama]

Originally Posted by onedimsim

Everything she said! Sookie! Do tell us - do you do the skip day each week? what dosage? Are you still losing like gangbusers? (VERRY jealous btw - i had several stalls with P2 )

I am trying to figure out how to keep from stalling so much next time (e.g., playing with dosage, skip day....) I am fairly sure I developed some immunity towards the end of the round.

What type of HCG were you using and what dose?

Here is my breakdown of weight loss per week:
Week 1 = 11.6 (miss that)
Week 2 = 5.6
Week 3 = 4.2
Week 4 = 5.4
Week 5 = 4.2 (I count this as my lowest week loss, even though it is tied with week 3. Week 3 I was not on Dr Emma's plan and since being on her plan I have noticed greater losses. This past week was a tough one with TOM and the party I had, along with eating out 6 times!!!! (Jimmy Johns = 3X's and Sushi 3X's) Actually, when I type that and think about it I am thankful for my 4.2!!! It could have been worse!

Total loss = 31 lb's in 35 days

[Chaquita]

Originally Posted by SookieMama

You just made my day, Chaquita!!! I have been hoping to find someone else doing her protocol to compare with!!

When I went to my clinic, I asked how many iu's were going to be in the shots and for the details of how she would increase the dosage. I actually spoke with Dr Emma on the phone about 2 weeks prior to starting with her, and she clued me in about her dosing method. I had already been to a different clinic and was on 150 iu's before starting with Dr Emma and she said that was to low.

All 4 weeks of my shots are filled to the same level. On the packet it is stated which week the shot is to be taken in, i.e. week 1, week 2, etc. Are you seeing her personally? Will you please share with me what you have been told regarding her protocol? Is there anything I have posted in the past threads that you were told to do differently?

What is your loss so far?

Finally, someone on the same program I am!!

Yes, I am seeing her personally. I will not be going back, though (unless I decide I want to) - it was a 2.5 hour drive.

I only have less than 20 pds to lose, so no huge weight losses like others I've seen. It has averaged out to .4 pounds per day and I am THRILLED with that! I had a 1.8 pd drop one day, but other than that it is .2, .4, .6, zero...and so forth. I am due for my period any second, so it'll be interesting what happens tomorrow.

She is not a believer of "loading", which I am not either. She said to eat what I want, if I want that one last special meal by all means have it, but do NOT gorge yourself...she has seen many of her clients do serious weight damage and all her research does not support the "need" to do this. I am clearly not obese and do not binge, or overeat, so I did not feel the need to gorge myself.

I am fructose intolerance so I do not eat apples, and she was cool with me substituting winter squashes. We talked for a while, and I asked if this is basically a psmf (protein sparing modified fast), and she yeah, that's exactly what it is with enough fibrous veggies and fruit thrown in to be able to make it manageable. I am no stranger to dieting, vlcd, meticulously measuring and tracking my calories and know my maintenance calories, so she said, "I can see you understand this and do not need hand holding, just get in your required protein and fill in the rest as you see fit". And that's exactly what I've been doing and am thrilled with my loss. I knew going into this that I was not going to be a .5 -1 pound a day loser because I don't have a lot to lose to begin with.

But I am curious of the dosage I am on. I was told it would increase weekly, but other than that I do not know. I do know I was struggling with hunger the first 2 wks, but this 3rd wk, which started on thursday, my hunger is so much better under control! She has me on 600 cals a day, however the first 2 wks I was coming closer to 650-700...i was hungry! On my next phone consult with them, I am going to ask for the dosage. I have a right to know what I am taking as it is my body and I am paying for this. So it was nice to read that she was willing to give you that info...I was thinking I was gonna have to get ugly! lol!

Good luck!

[SookieMama]

Originally Posted by Chaquita

Yes, I am seeing her personally. I will not be going back, though (unless I decide I want to) - it was a 2.5 hour drive.

I only have less than 20 pds to lose, so no huge weight losses like others I've seen. It has averaged out to .4 pounds per day and I am THRILLED with that! I had a 1.8 pd drop one day, but other than that it is .2, .4, .6, zero...and so forth. I am due for my period any second, so it'll be interesting what happens tomorrow.

She is not a believer of "loading", which I am not either. She said to eat what I want, if I want that one last special meal by all means have it, but do NOT gorge yourself...she has seen many of her clients do serious weight damage and all her research does not support the "need" to do this. I am clearly not obese and do not binge, or overeat, so I did not feel the need to gorge myself.

I am fructose intolerance so I do not eat apples, and she was cool with me substituting winter squashes. We talked for a while, and I asked if this is basically a psmf (protein sparing modified fast), and she yeah, that's exactly what it is with enough fibrous veggies and fruit thrown in to be able to make it manageable. I am no stranger to dieting, vlcd, meticulously measuring and tracking my calories and know my maintenance calories, so she said, "I can see you understand this and do not need hand holding, just get in your required protein and fill in the rest as you see fit". And that's exactly what I've been doing and am thrilled with my loss. I knew going into this that I was not going to be a .5 -1 pound a day loser because I don't have a lot to lose to begin with.

But I am curious of the dosage I am on. I was told it would increase weekly, but other than that I do not know. I do know I was struggling with hunger the first 2 wks, but this 3rd wk, which started on thursday, my hunger is so much better under control! She has me on 600 cals a day, however the first 2 wks I was coming closer to 650-700...i was hungry! On my next phone consult with them, I am going to ask for the dosage. I have a right to know what I am taking as it is my body and I am paying for this. So it was nice to read that she was willing to give you that info...I was thinking I was gonna have to get ugly! lol!

Good luck!

I am curious what she told you about getting off the HCG and transitioning to regular eating. They told me, at the clinic I go to, that Dr Emma will stair-step my dosage down to get me off of it, kinda like she is stair-stepping it up each week to get me at her standard dose. Other than that I didn't get much info because I knew I would be doing another round. Since you are only doing it once what is the plan for you to get off of it?

When i spoke with Dr Emma she told me that her standard dose was 200iu's to begin with. My mother is also on her plan and started with the same dose as I did although she didn't have as much to lose as me. I would bet you are on the same dosing schedule as I am.

[Chaquita]

I signed up for and paid for a 28 day (4 weeks) period, but I have decided to do 2 more weeks, which they said they would mail to me if I decided to do this. I will not reach my goal in another 1.5 weeks, but I do feel another 2 wks on top of that will get me where I want to be. I don't have a certain scale number I am trying to achieve, rather a bf%.

They gave me my "fifth week" bag of goodies which has "taper week" on it and each one is labeled with day 1 through day 7. So I looked, and on that label it says how much hcg is in each one. Cool! I still want to know what i am taking right now. There is also B12 in those shots.

I lost another.8 this morning. Thrilled with that...another 10(?) pounds to go!

I am late for my period and feeling water retention in my 'girls'. I take bio-identical progesterone from my naturpath and get it every 28 days like clock work, but today is 31. No big deal, but I am ready for it, I hate the feeling of retaining water, and I know it'll slow weight loss for awhile. Btw...I am 45 yrs old and sitting at 130.4 this morning. May I ask your age and weight?

[usacoton]

Thank you so much for the imformation and updates, I appreciate you takiing the time. and siper congrats on your losses!

[Sleepy]

is Dr Emma expensive girls?

[onedimsim]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

is Dr Emma expensive girls?

yes please - spill the beans on cost

[SookieMama]

Originally Posted by onedimsim

yes please - spill the beans on cost

The clinic I go to charges $600 for 28 days. Bananas...I know!!! How much does dr Emma herself charge Chiquita?

[SookieMama]

What a week this has been so far. There was a death in my family this past weekend so we had to make an emergency trip, Tuesday thru Thursday, to a tiny town in Texas. Luckily, the hotel we stayed in had a refrigerator and microwave in each room, so that helped. I took my food and stuck to my plan but the losses have not kept up with me!! I took my own bathroom scale so I could keep up with it. I guess it is due to the stress and change of schelule. My weight has been bouncing around the same 1.5 lbs since Monday. I am officially up .2 since Monday although today was a loss, small loss albeit. I really attribute the weight slow down to lack of sleep. I had been sleeping so well since starting hcg but the last few days, since Friday, I have not been sleeping as much. Right now, we are driving home and I'm exhausted. I would love some feedback from some of you about how sleep affects your losses. It is frustrating to see the scale slow down when I'm eating like I should be. I am proud though that I did not cheat, at all! Yesterday after the funeral there was a humongous spread of food; fried chicken, about 50 cheesy casseroles, bread, and a dessert table that went on for days. Among those yummy options, they had dry salad, a deli turkey platter and oranges. That's what I had. I think I am probably retaining water from the deli meat and I splurged and put salt on my salad. Hopefully, getting back home today and sleeping in my own bed will put me back on track.

[Sleepy]

sleep and stress will effect your losses but also remember you will bounce around a little and will not lose every day

[buttah]

Sorry if this has been asked before. If Dr. Emma keeps raising your does, just how high can it go? I mean, if you stay with it for long enough, wouldn't you be taking sky high doses?

What kinds of FF cheese are allowed and how much counts as a protein serving? Same with eggs? I would love to know specifics. I'm definitely going to do either this or the Sonia Russell 800 (really up to 800) calorie version next (and last) round. I'll probably be stuck with the same 150iu though. I'd like to lose 10 more pounds, but I'd be thrilled to lose another 15. I don't think I can lose more than that.

What kind of "creamer" in coffee is allowed?!!!! Half and half? And how much does "limit it" mean? This could be awesome for me.

Finally, will she treat patients long distance from start to finish, or do you have to make at least one trip?

Thanks in advance. I'm really curious.

FYI, my clinic was about $700 for a three week round, but you can add on. It includes lipotropic shots weekly. I forget what additional weeks were. Then, the second round, you get a discount, and so on. Can't remember the exact numbers, though.

[buttah]

I just found there is a Dr. Emma provider near me, but it's a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. No doubt more expensive than my clinic. At this point, with 10 lbs left to go and a discount for referrals, I think I'll just go back to my same clinic. They won't require more blood work and all that jazz as well. So curious about the dosage upping, though, (would you be on like 375iu's after a while? Does this method speed up weight loss or just help with hunger?) and I'd still love to know the answers to my Dr. Emma protocol questions above.

Thanks so much, guys!

[SookieMama]

Been researching ketosis and hcg and wanted to share what I have found.


" Testing for Ketones will tell you if you are actively burning fat and this can be a tool for adding new foods and/or assessing mistakes.

For example, if you decide to add coconut oil to your diet (great for some, problematic for others), testing ketones will help. Let's say you've you've been testing positive for ketones in your urine and you eat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, the next day there are no ketones in your urine. This suggests that the coconut oil is not going to help you burn more fat. It probably even slowed things down a bit, so avoid it.

For best results, use first morning urine to test. And remember, any color change indicates fat burning. If you’re showing even a small amount, then you are in ketosis, and fat-burning is taking place.

It is important to note that the strips only indicate what’s happening in the urine at that time. Ketosis actually occurs in the blood and body tissues and will spill into the urine ONLY when there is more in the blood than is being used as fuel by the body at that particular moment. If you’re showing even a small amount, then you are in ketosis, and fat-burning is taking place. Don’t worry about how dark your strip is. Testing in the darkest purple range all the time is usually a sign of dehydration — the urine is too concentrated. You need to drink more water and keep the kidneys working properly.

Some dieters NEVER show above trace or negative, yet they burn fat and lose weight just fine. If you’re losing weight, and your clothes are getting looser, you’re feeling well and not hungry all the time, don't worry about it. Don’t get hung up on the strips; they’re just a guide, nothing more."

Anyone have any experience on testing for ketones? I have also read that while on HCG you should not have ketones in your urine. Im a bit confused. Thoughts???

[Chaquita]

not sure why I am not receiving notice of new posts all of a sudden...

To answer your question about price. Right now...it is $100 a week, so the 28 day program cost me $399. But I just ordered another 2 wks and that cost me $200 plus $25 for shipping. However they told me she is increasing her price $25 per week in April.

I believe she treats people over the phone and through mail, although I personally saw her, just at the consultation and I am not going back.

I was up a total of 2 pds these past 3 days due to my period but dropped 1.4 this morning. Sure am hoping to loss the other .6 plus some tomorrow - or very soon.

[buttah]

Would still love to know:

Sorry if this has been asked before. If Dr. Emma keeps raising your does, just how high can it go? I mean, if you stay with it for long enough, wouldn't you be taking sky high doses?

What kinds of FF cheese are allowed and how much counts as a protein serving? Same with eggs? I would love to know specifics. I'm definitely going to do either this or the Sonia Russell 800 (really up to 800) calorie version next (and last) round. I'll probably be stuck with the same 150iu though. I'd like to lose 10 more pounds, but I'd be thrilled to lose another 15. I don't think I can lose more than that.

What kind of "creamer" in coffee is allowed?!!!! Half and half? And how much does "limit it" mean? This could be awesome for me.

[Chaquita]

Originally Posted by buttah

Would still love to know:

Sorry if this has been asked before. If Dr. Emma keeps raising your does, just how high can it go? I mean, if you stay with it for long enough, wouldn't you be taking sky high doses?

What kinds of FF cheese are allowed and how much counts as a protein serving? Same with eggs? I would love to know specifics. I'm definitely going to do either this or the Sonia Russell 800 (really up to 800) calorie version next (and last) round. I'll probably be stuck with the same 150iu though. I'd like to lose 10 more pounds, but I'd be thrilled to lose another 15. I don't think I can lose more than that.

What kind of "creamer" in coffee is allowed?!!!! Half and half? And how much does "limit it" mean? This could be awesome for me.

Can't answer your question on dose. FF cheese? She advises to stay away from dairy for the first 3 weeks, but does say you can have 1 TBSP of cream in coffee, but i use Almond milk (30 cal per Cup, and I use maybe 1/4c). I do eat egg white omelet every day...just use common sense...make sure you're eating the same grams whether it's eggs or "meat", she didn't seem real bothered by swapping out one LEAN protein for another as long as the calorie, protein and fat % were equivalent.

she has me on 600 calories, some days it goes up to 700, others 500...

[buttah]

Thanks! I was asking about FF cheese because I thought Sookiemama said it was on her plan a few pages ago.

There are many almond milks - unsweetened? Can you be more specific? Does Dr. Emma allow regular cream or half and half? And she allow a quarter cup of almond milk w/ coffee? Is that the max? I would love the exact details from her sheet if possible.

[SookieMama]

I think Chaquita might be your best resource for those questions but I will let you know what info I have from her 2 booklets that I was given when I started with her. BTW you can go to her website and buy these booklets, I think they are $12.00 each.

From my understanding, since her patients calories vary from person to person there is no one serving size fits all. My Dr. Emma clinic stressed to keep my calories at my given number, 500. They didn't stress to me to only have 1 TBLS of this or that. She does say to eliminate all the fat from your diet that is possible, so I take that to mean no full fat creamer. I did however, use regular liquid Coffee Mate up until this week with fantastic results. I switched this week to non-fat coffee mate liquid because while we were in a different state I found it in a grocery. Also helps that it is only 10 calories a TBLS. I have 2 TBLS of that every day. That will never ever change! No one wants me to give up my coffee, trust me!!!

Here is exactly what she says about using dairy on HCG, straight from her literature.

"Dairy is not a preferred source of protein and should only be used when necessary. This is due largely because of the sugar content in most forms of dairy. Fat-free cheeses are an exception. Also dairy is occasionally responsible for unrecognized food sensitivity. For alternative sources of protein other than dairy ask for Dr. Emma's vegetarian or vegan protocol. Be aware that only fat-free cheeses may be considered. Regular or low- fat cheeses are far too high in calories and fat."

She then lists a serving size of fat-free cheese as 1 cup= 150 calories and 0 fat
She also lists that 1 fat-free cheese stick may be used as a snack= 42 calories

Hope this helps!!

[SookieMama]

One more thing...

Here is what she says verbatim about creamer.

"Limit creamer or milk. Make sure to measure quantity of creamer or milk to record calories consumed per cup of coffee."

Also interesting perhaps to some, this is what she says about soda. (not me since I don't drink the stuff)

"Limit diet soda to one daily due to sodium and sweeteners."

[SookieMama]

Originally Posted by buttah

If Dr. Emma keeps raising your does, just how high can it go? I mean, if you stay with it for long enough, wouldn't you be taking sky high doses?

The reason the doses are continually going up each week is to get us to what she feels is the optimal dosing level of HCG. There is a max dosage that we are eventually going to reach and stay. They told me what it was but I forgot. I am going back to my clinic this week for another round and will find out then the max dose. I would think that I will hit it this round. I will be happy to ask any other questions you have of them. I like your questions because they are my questions too, if I don't already know the answer!!

[onedimsim]

Originally Posted by SookieMama

The reason the doses are continually going up each week is to get us to what she feels is the optimal dosing level of HCG. There is a max dosage that we are eventually going to reach and stay. They told me what it was but I forgot. I am going back to my clinic this week for another round and will find out then the max dose. I would think that I will hit it this round. I will be happy to ask any other questions you have of them. I like your questions because they are my questions too, if I don't already know the answer!!

If you do get a chance to ask some questions, the classic "issue" with the limit to a max 42 (43?) day round is immunity to the HCG - then following classic Simeon protocol, you are supposed to take a "break" for 6 weeks prior to Round 2 - the logic of this is to counteract immunity to the HCG...do the increased doses counteract this or does Dr. Emma simply not believe in the immunity issue? I looked at her website and could not find any info on this.

I am in P3/P4 for six weeks - while i find this good "practice" for maintenance and certainly am enjoying the break from the monotony of the 500 calories and restricted foods, I am "in it to win it" and given a choice would have stayed on an extended round of Rx HCG for longer as I still have 80 lbs to lose!

Thanks Sookie!

~Melanie

See if you can find out the reasoning there?

[buttah]

Interesting about the cheeses, as I know that FF cheeses also have additives that can cause issues (one of them starts with a "c") and often contain more carbs and sugar than the low and full fat versions. I think I will avoid dairy on this next round. The egg whites in the morning will REALLY help me though.

Overall, it seems she's mostly asking you to stay as non-fat as possible, no carbs other than the approved ones (rice cakes, whatever), sugar only from fruit, and not go over whatever calorie limit she sets for you?

Also, the protein grams based on weight - is that per day or per meal?

I may just buy the booklet! But since I'll be doing 150iu and won't have this dose climbing thing, I'm thinking SR's 800 calorie protocol may be the way to go for me. Or I'll just do regular protocol (I can live without cream for 3 weeks, and I don't do the breads anyway) but up my protein to 4 oz a meal, if needed, and add egg whites for breakfast.

Is the dose upping meant to stave off hunger or keep losses moving? Or both?

[SookieMama]

Anyone have any experience using raspberry ketones or green coffee bean in conjunction with hcg?
I know DR Emma recommends raspberry ketones and I just started using them. Wondering about also using the pure green coffee bean extract with it. Has this helped anyone? This week has been no good at all for me. I guess the traveling and stress really messed my losses up, and I was on such a roll!! It has been very disappointing, especially since I took my own food with me and didn't cheat. This week I have only lost 2.2lbs.

I do feel thinner and can see a difference in my body, especially my butt and tummy. BUT...I need scale gratification!!!

What supplements do you take to help with losses.

[nosugar]

In regards to the dairy issue - does that include whey protein? Does she allow protein shakes as part of her protocol?

[buttah]

Would I want to buy the "diet guide" or "diet secrets?" Although I'm wondering if her plan would still work without climbing HCG doses.

[onedimsim]

Originally Posted by buttah

Would I want to buy the "diet guide" or "diet secrets?" Although I'm wondering if her plan would still work without climbing HCG doses.

wondering the same things as well....wish there was kindle editions!

[Chaquita]

Originally Posted by nosugar

In regards to the dairy issue - does that include whey protein? Does she allow protein shakes as part of her protocol?

I use whey protein every day, and I told her this. Again, she didn't seem to care as long as I was staying within my protein limit (and same amount of calories and low carb and low fat...)

[nosugar]

Thank you,

[SookieMama]

Been in a 10 day stall. No fun. Think it broke today, I was down .4 and saw a new number for the first time in 10 days!!! I went to my clinic 2 days ago to get another round of shots and asked many, many questions. They told me they want to consult with me because they are writing a HCG book to supplement the Dr. Emma books. (They were joking)

Here are some of the questions I asked:

What all is in the shots besides HCG? Nothing just HCG and solution

What is the longest Dr. Emma client on the shots consistently? so far 8 months

What about resistance to the HCG? Everyone is different so there is not a set time period to get off. If I thing I am becoming resistant then they will taper me off of the HCG (this takes 1 week- everyday the HCG shot decreases) then I take 3 weeks off of all HCG and then restart. This is a hard thing to know when to do because everyone stalls and plateaus. They said that if you choose to stay on the plan, while you are a bit resistant that you will still loose just slower. They said if you are still losing on HCG then stay on the plan!

How many iu's are in the shots and what is the top out number? I am currently on 260 iu's in my 4th week (I thought it was 275 but it is 260). The top out number is 350 iu's. After round 1 the iu's begin to increase slower, 10 iu's from week 4 to 5, for example.

They also reinforced that calories are of the upmost of importance, rather than having only a tbls of milk, or 1 grissini.

Why the high dose? They said simply that Dr. Emma has proven that a higher dose is more effective for muscle retention and abnormal fat reduction.

I think that is it. I wrote most of this down so I would not forget the answers so I could relay the info to all of you.

I started taking Green Coffee Extract with Svetol, we will see if this helps any!