I took FG for about 4 months, 2 capsules 3x/day. It did an awesome job with fat redistribution/getting a smaller waist, and my breasts got a little larger, but it never triggered any actual budding. After the first few months I couldn't really feel it doing anything to my breasts either. Then my PM arrived and I stopped taking FG. The buds appeared after about a week on PM, and they're still growing. I started out at 2/day, and have gone as high as 4/day, but my normal dosage is 2 in the morning and 1 before bed.
I imagine I'll go back to FG for some fullness (and it's great for digestion, btw) once I'm happy with the foundation from PM. I also take one 160mg SP extract 2x/day at the same time I take the PM.
Oh, and I know what you mean about the maple syrup effect.
Good luck!