These folks use TV advertising to claim you'll lose 40lbs in 40days. I contacted them and went in to see what it was all about. The young woman (the counselor) I talked with showed me her before and after picture and I was hooked. She said I could be on the 60 day plan for $1695.00, much cheaper than the 10K I was looking at for a lap band procedure. I signed the forms and was told to go to another clinic (in Arlington, TX) for blood tests to make sure I could do this. Shame on me....I didn't read the last line on one of the forms that said there was "no refund once payment is received" and I had initialed it. So even if the blood tests said I couldn't do it, I would still receive no refund.
I went back to the Las Colinas clinic and was handed a book with a Standard Protocol Food List. A couple of days later I called to see if my "HCG" was in. I went and picked it up. I purchased the foods on the list and proceeded to follow the protocol. By day 3 of the menu allotments, I was starving and had absolutely no energy.
What was not explained was that I shouldn't be eating any protein in the morning as it makes you hungrier and I should also be eating up to 6 cups a day of any "One" vegetable. None of this is posted in their binder.
By day 10, I was weak, lethargic and my muscles felt like they were lead weights. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack...I felt horrible. I had an appointment for follow up and relayed the starvation diet wasn't working and I didn't feel this was for me. I had called a couple of days earlier and was told I needed a disk with helpful information on it to get me through these days. When I went in they had neither the disk or any more of the "HCG" for me. I was told it should be in, in a couple of days. I was also told to reduce the "HCG" shot to 20mg instead of 25mg as it was making me hungrier and that it took (her, the counselor) at least 20 days to feel normal again and it was tougher on heavier people for the first month. She then proceeded to tell me I could eat more amounts of vegetables. Why didn't she tell me this at first?? Why didn't they tell me about the disk to help with cravings and other stuff?
I didn't get the full advantage of doing this program as I was only given bits and pieces of information for the program. They were more concerned with signing up people than helping them with the process of losing weight. I have asked for a partial refund and they just ignore me. They will not return phone calls and "The Counselor" will not give me any straight answers. On Thursday, February 11th, 2010, I called "The Counselor" only to be told she had to talk to her boss. When asked who her boss was, she responded "Which one?". She would not give me a straight answer to any of my questions and laughed all the way through the phone call.
I guess it is pretty funny from her end that she does not have any respect for the clients(she just laughs about it all), she won't return my phone calls (nor will her "Boss" or anyone connected with this company) and I'm out $1695.00.
This is a starvation diet so save your money so eat nothing but vegetables and lean meat and you too will lose 40 lbs in 40 days. Guaranteed. And you won't be out $1695.00 in the process.
There are no answers to my dilemma except to file with the State Attorney General in order for them to change their policy and practices and post this for others to be warned.
Diana
Grand Prairie,#2Author of original report
Thu, February 18, 2010
The manager finally got involved and we settled this amiably. Apparently the Counselor I was dealing with was not letting management know anything. I might consider them in the future but right now I'm pretty well steamed about the whole thing.