Melesg

Let us know how your consult went, thinking of you x Mel

Hi BubblesCT, how are you? How have the past few days been for you? Mel [emoji4]

You are doing great AmyAlexis. In my experience, a fantastic part of having am esg is that you will be able to enjoy a meal out that can be almost anything. You will just be happy sharing it or leaving half on your plate. I have seen a friend struggle to eat so many foods post lap band and knew I didn't want to go down that path. Some sort of marinated chicken and veg was my initial go to order. As I have got further out from my procedure, I can choose anything. My way of disguising that I can only eat a small amount is to declare how amazing it is and that my family really have to try it. Works a treat. Otherwise an starter meal is a good option as an entree/main meal. Know that this phase will soon pass and you will be enjoying a huge variety of nutritious food and feel amazing for it x

Love this idea. The past week has been a challenge for me [emoji853]. I have spent much of the past week at the hospital with a unwell relative. Way to many meals at the hospital cafeteria that included ALL the carbs [emoji51]. I realise that my little routine has been so important in my success so far. It's really hard to control what you eat when you don't prepare the food and haven't planned ahead. On the upside, I have not "fallen off the wagon" so to speak. I haven't had junk food or desperately sort out unhealthy food to console myself and that certainly feels like progress. Just happy to grab a small size pasta or sandwich rather than lean meat and veg. So a "carb kg" gained for me that I plan to shove this week [emoji4]. Haven't exercised for the past week and am looking forward to getting back into moving again. Thankfully, I am now back home and today is day 1 getting back to it. So for me, just over 13kg down since esg and 16kg down from this time last year. On a positive note... It's so nice to weigh less than a year ago. It's the first time I can say that in quite some time. I would really like to drop 2 kg before Xmas so wish me luck! Mel x

Hi BubblesCT, I hope your pre procedure preparations continue to go well. We are all here to support you, every step of the way. I love your honesty and willingness to share. None of us get to the point of needing an esg unless we have some sort of issue with food so I wouldn't worry about this preventing you moving forward. Knowing what support you will need to make this work is really important to your success. It's the willingness to change that makes the difference. Stay positive and enjoy the beginning of your new life xo

Well done Tex Slim 66. That right there is how we get our health back. The health benefits of a reducing waist size is huge. You are killing it Tex, we are so happy for you. Keep up the great work [emoji4]

Definately ask what your Dr's patients average weight loss is and follow up support with a dietician. I have similar Dr follow up to you buts it's the rest of his team that you will deal with more frequently after the procedure. Also, don't be shy in discussing all your fears about the procedure, such as revision rates and post op care. The only way to move forward is to feel very reassured that you will get where you need to be. Even if his bedside manner isn't fantastic, it's so important to know that as a clinician - his work is impeccable. There are no silly questions and nothing you should be concerned about asking. You have fantastic insight and have done your homework so the time will come to make your decision and then it's time to research less and get your head in the "this is happening" game. I also double read every study I could get my hands on but then knew I had to stop and trust my team and my decision. Otherwise I would have found some information that made me question my decision and escalated my anxiety about having the procedure. You've got this [emoji846]

That's so exciting hope4momof4 . What a big step you have taken [emoji7]. Onwards and upwards!!

Thanks Tex Slim 66. I'm glad we all have each other to talk to about our experiences. It feels somewhat like uncharted territory and it could be quite an isolating experience having an esg due to the recency of the procedure. I imagine it will be sometime before we cross paths in our daily lives with someone else who has had an esg. I think that's why this community is so important to us all. I hope you are still recovering well? Mel

Some great information shared here. So valuable for the many readers wondering about the days and weeks after having the esg. Great to hear how well you are going Tex Slim 66 and AmyAlexis, sounds like you are both doing so well. I am now well over 3 months post esg procedure and can also add that the hunger I feel now is far less intense than before esg. Head hunger still tells me to eat but when I actually think about it - I'm really not hungry very often. It's far easier to eat less and I would have to say that I am less interested in food.... and I really loved food [emoji5]. I feel like a food switch has been flicked off in my brain and I am really satisfied with smaller portions or substitutes. I took my kids to the movies yesterday and got myself a small Diet Coke as a treat. It's was magnificent. Couldn't have cared less about the bucket of popcorn the kids demolished, my drink was awesome. What I love about my esg is that I can still eat anything I want, I just don't to want to eat as a much or as often. It's taken me a couple of months to get my head around what I can and can't eat due to a lifetime of dieting. Portion sizes are very important now but really nothing is off my menu. I seem to look for healthier foods now, I am in love with grapes and apples and have lost my sweet tooth for candy and chocolate. My weight loss has really taken off again and I have lost a kg per week for the last 2 weeks. Remember to eat enough once you have recovered to keep your metabolism ticking along and the nutrients up to feel like exercising. My dietician has been crucial in helping me change my mind set about seeing some foods as bad and snacking as a barrier to weight loss. She tells me that carbs are not bad but how healthy some are and said that snacking to her means an opportunity to get some more nutrients in. I now have an apple, almonds and a square of dark chocolate most afternoons as my only daily snack and it's delicious. I wish you all continued success. I am nearly half way to my goal weight after just 3 months. So grateful for the opportunity to have this procedure and change my life for the better. And hope4momof4 - thank you for being such a encourager to all on this forum. You are a blessing to us all and it's heartwarming to see how much you want everyone to do well. Good luck with your progress in finding a surgeon who you feel is the "one" to provide your weight loss solution xo

My pleasure [emoji179]

The only time I have stopped losing was during a 3 week stall and it's when I started on "normal" food. I wasn't cheating but adding carbs in fruit and wraps/bread had an instant effect on my weight loss. The only mistake I have made really is over calculating nuts ( I was guessing what 20g was but when I used some scales it was actually 40g.). Since I got through this stall, I have consistently lost weight every week. My weekly losses range from about. 3-.5 kg per week. I have to say though, my clothing sizes are going down faster than the numbers on the scales. I just purchased a size 12 top and 14 dress (which is a 10 and 12 US size) and previously was a size 18-20(16-18 us). People are really noticing the difference too. I imagine you could loses much faster than me if you really restricted carbs and did intense exercise. I am going for behaviours that I can sustain long term. So I still go out the dinner but do lots of walking with some short runs and a couple of light strength training sessions per week. I eat the same meals as my family at home but just have a kids size serve and avoid to many carb rich foods. You are so right, you get out what you put in. A girl at my work had a sleeve gastrectomy the same time as I had my esg and I have lost more weight than her at this point which surprises me. I'm sure heaps of lsg patients are way ahead of me but it's so individual. Xo

Hi hope4momof4, Its ok and I'm sorry to snap back. Absolutely no hard feelings [emoji173]️. I know exactly where you are, because I was there too. Researching everything I could and focusing on bits and pieces of what I find. It's such a huge decision and it's never the wrong approach to proactively go into something with all the info you can find. The common themes I see with many people who have had an esg is an initial good weight loss and then slower progress after that. I certainly was frustrated when I stopped losing weight every single day but I realise all good things must come to an end. As nice as it would be to hit goal in record time, I think this stage is really valuable. I am learning how to eat all over again. Eating slow, choosing nutritious food, moving more and psychologically moving on from unhealthy eating. For me, I think being in ketosis initially allowed a big weight drop but when I added more calories and healthy carbs, my weightloss slowed. I would say if you stay in ketosis then the weight would continue to drop off quicker. Definitely don't stay off the internet, and certainly not off this site. We would all miss you greatly. You are a wonderful encourager and I always look forward to hearing from you xo

We Aussies are known for our honesty and that is what we are giving. My reason for being so open is because many people want to know the reality of the procedure, so we all share the good and not so good aspects of recently undergoing esg. I obviously read all the Aussie posts and don't agree that there are a decent number who "don't do well". I have lost almost 30lbs in less than 3 months which I am happy with. Has it been easy - no. It takes a lot of discipline and is not a magic cure. There are frustrations, stalls and it is a big lifestyle change to get used to. My Dr's patients lose on average of 22-25% of their body weight within 6-18 months. He is publishing this data shortly.

H 2shea, welcome. Let us all know what you decide to do. I am a Melbourne girl too so sending lots of local support your way x

Hi, Yes it definitely is. I have been really focused on my diet and exercise and have lost 1.4 kg in just over 2 weeks. For me I'm finding that my clothing size is dropping quite quickly. I have been active since my procedure and have added some running within my walks (oh so slow but running none the less) and some strength training. I think you definitely get out what you put in. I think I was snacking more than I realised and that was slowing my progress. Since I have tidied up my diet, I can see that it what a post procedure diet should look like. My day currently looks like a protein shake for breakfast, meat and veg or salad for lunch, an apples and almonds for a snack and a low carb dinner which again is often meat and veg or salad. Just water and coffee to drink. Walking x4 per week, 2x strength training at home. Hope this helps [emoji3]

I definitely have more energy and as we are entering summer down under, have great weather to get out and about. Much easier to meet my water goals which I have struggled with at times. That's great progress with hubs in going to get a doctors opinion. I'm guessing it will be one who offers the esg lol. My teens still haven't noticed anything different which still cracks me up. I can now go out the dinner with friends who don't know about my esg and eat a reasonable meal and have a glass of wine which is lovely. So I guess I can say this "secret" is fairly easy to conceal. I'm glad I haven't told too many people as I feel I would now hate to be constantly asked how much more I had lost when the numbers are quite slow to move. Couldn't stand anyone asking if I regret this path or wish I had have gone with a lsg It's really nice to have "no pressure" and run my own race [emoji469]. Thought this might help as I know you plan to keep it fairly quiet too. And to those esgers who say it loud and proud - good on you. I thinks that's really brave and hope you get nothing but support. Mel

Hi!!! How are you? How did your conversation go with your husband? Any progress on what you are going to do regarding the esg? I am great, thanks for checking in [emoji4]. I have finally broken the stall and have been losing, slowly but losing none the less. Still loving the support of my dietician to navigate this new world of eating. I have begun moving more and adding some short runs and strength training - baby steps but it is working well with my life. All up I am now nearly 12kg down and can no longer shop in the big girl stores. Lost about 1 and a half dress sizes. Having to answer a few " wow you look great, what diet are you doing" conversations. Still needing to work on impulse eating which has happened a few times when I am not organised and grab something for the kids on the go. I am trying to adopt the mindset of trying not dwell on it but work on strategies to prevent it next time. It's definitely a learning curve. Keep in touch, Mel x

@hope4momof4 No, definitely not. Just someone who understands how it feels. I wish you the best of luck speaking with your husband. I imagine it will be a big shock for him that you want to take this step. Sometimes planting the seed and letting it cultivate is important. Even if he is not convinced for now, I hope you can move forward with his full support. I imagine it must be a little scary thinking that your wife is taking a reasonably drastic step. Take care of each other xo

It really does affect your entire life. I don't remember a time when I haven't been on a diet or preparing for the next one. It feels like such a cycle that just wears you down to the point that it dominates your whole self worth. Despite success in other areas of our lives, it is still the one thing that is always out of reach. Remember that with or without this procedure, you are loved beyond measure by your family. Perhaps it's time for us to all be a bit kinder to ourself and celebrate all the things we do well. Take care Mel.

Yes my procedure was endoscopic. As I lived out of state they required me to stay for 7-10 days to ensure any complications could be dealt with quickly. I was well enough to drive the 10 hours home on day 5 as I was fine. They also had an infusion clinic that we could attend as much as we wanted which was so good. For 3 days I had Iv fluids and lots of Iv drugs to make me feel better. My dr has us nil by mouth for 3 days post procedure so the fluids really helped. I think this is not the norm though as most esg clients drink soon after. I'm so glad that we are able to connect and support one another via this forum. I know how valuable it was to have questions answered honestly so that I really knew what I was signing up for.

I was in exactly the same situation. I was thinking of getting a balloon but then thought that I need help long term. I did heaps of research and honestly felt this was "my" answer. Far less surgical risk and a procedure that as my doctor says "with your help, does the heavy lifting of weight loss for you". Good on you - it's a really brave decision to choose an option that is currently a little less main stream but one that will be huge in another year or two. Consider yourself a trend setter. As mums we wouldn't hesitate spending the money on our kids if they needed a medical procedure to increase their quality of life or even to possibly save or extend their life, but I understand that it's hard to see the procedure as that for ourselves. I kept telling myself that I could lose weight without the procedure if I really, really wanted to - but the truth is I couldn't. And that's ok. Obesity was a bigger problem that I couldn't handle alone. It's a lot of money, no doubt about it. I knew my husband would be supportive but I was surprised that he has been my absolute biggest cheerleader and encourager. His response was go for it. You wouldn't think twice about getting orthodontics for the kids or supporting them to do sports, musical instruments or go on holidays so prioritise yourself for once. Let's live to be annoying old people to drive our kids bananas and enjoy our grandkids. So I decided to do just that.. My dr (in Australia) does not charge for initial consults. If you can find that near you it may be a good option to ensure you have the best information to help make your decision and answer any concerns. I would defiantly look for a clinic who provides long term support. I have access for 2 years to the nutritionist, psychologist and exercise physiologist plus dr visits. The nutritionist support is so valuable, I'm surprised by how supportive she is and how she is changing my mind set about food choices. Good luck and keep in touch. Mel [emoji4]

Hi hope4momof4, Welcome to the forum. Just thought I would add some comments in case they help ;0). I am now 6 weeks since my esg and have 3 teenagers. They still don't know I had the procedure and I even had to go interstate for a week to have it done. Gotta love teenagers!!! Expect a few days after the procedure to feel fairly ordinary but most of us seem to be feeling quite well after this time. The nausea and cramping for me ranged from a 7/10 down to nothing during the first few days. Pre surgery requirements seem to vary. I had blood tests, h pylori breath test and had a pre op diet of shakes and a protein meal for 2 weeks. As Belle said, short term pain for long term gain. My weight loss was initially fast and has really slowed now. It definitely takes ongoing commitment to healthy eating and I see this treatment as a big help to becoming fit and healthy but not the answer by itself. I could still overeat and do not feel overly restricted but it still is working. It seems to be easer to choose better food and to stop eating sooner. Sounds strange I know but your body seems to crave healthy options. I know I couldn't lose the weight without help and I don't regret my esg one bit. I was happy to avoid the risks of surgery and love my esg team. I speak to the nutritionist every few weeks, psychologist once a month initially and dr review every 6 months. It's a big decision. Ask all the questions you need - we have all been exactly where you are. Mel.

That's fantastic Belle, sounds like you are killing it post procedure. You have lost heaps very fast, it's a credit to you. I am doing well. Have had a 2 week stall since starting full diet so spoke with the dietician to revamp my eating. I have started a small amount of running with my walking and now eating less carbs so hope to break the stall soon. What does a days diet look like for you?

Hi Belle, how have the last couple of weeks been for you?