Considering

I've got these extra 40 pounds on me that I really don't care for. They suddenly appeared (and it was within a 6-week time period, really) after I quit taking hormone replacement therapy crap. So my body, deprived of the estrogen it really wanted, decided to fatten me up in revenge.

While I can hold my weight well (I can always win at those "Guess Your Weight!" games at the carnival and such...), it does take a toll on my back. Even an extra 5 pounds is enough to cause me misery.

But losing the weight this time around isn't working. I've done all the usuals (hardly any carbs, upped my protein intake, I don't drink sodas, exercise, good healthy diet, etc. etc. etc.). My body wants nothing to do with it, unless I feed it more estrogen (which isn't an option anymore).

So I'm really considering the hCG diet. It's not that I necessarily want to drop the weight as quickly as they say you do on this diet (that part kind of worries me, actually). I just want something to kick start my butt into downsizing.

I would like to know if anyone has tried this, or if you know someone who has. I'm particularly interested in any long term stories and/or side effects of having done this.