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!