Melesg

Hi BigSuzy1969, Just to answer a couple of questions. I have about the same amount of weight to lose and have lost 22lbs so far (3.5 weeks since procedure). I hope to lose majority of the weight in 6-12 months. My surgeon expects I can lose most of my excess weight within the year, a total of 20-25% of my total body weight which his patients typically do. This is about 55lbs for me. I Have 3 kids who don't know that I have had the procedure - they haven't even noticed that I am not eating the same meals which is amazing as they are all teenagers. I just keep busy while they eat and talk to them at the dinner table while I clean up the kitchen and sit down with a bowl of soup and say I am eating extra healthy. The way I have faked a restaurant meal is to order soup and now that I am up to purée- soft food, order a small pasta and slowly eat a few mouthfuls and tell the family it's delicious and that they have to try some. The dish is then at least half gone and I take the rest home and my husband takes it for lunch the next day. Remember - the liquid diet does end so before long and you can order a small proper meal. My plan moving forward is to order a small protein meal or a share plate with the hubs and just eat what I can. In short - it's all doable. I self funded too - it's a lot of money so you have to be confident in your decision. Feel free to ask any questions you have. Mel

JimL - the second last sentence of this post is exactly what I needed to read. Thank you so much, I really needed to read that. I have started eating a few "slider foods" in between my meals and can see that they go down easily. I was feeling really disappointed with myself but now realise that this procedure requires a big mental shift to make it work, no point being weighed down with self pity - I need to go for a big walk and start today with a fresh perspective. It's not going to work without me making the change to choose healthy food. I'm down 22 lbs and am looking forward to moving out of the purée stage and filling up on protein and veg. Thanks again for posting - it's the little bit of inspiration I needed. Mel.

Great Job!

Wondering if any esg patients can tell me what restriction should feel like when starting purée diet? I had a weetbix and milk and later a scrambled egg today be really didn't feel restricted or "full" at any time? Is this normal? I have been compliant with fluids only for 2.5 weeks with no vomiting so assume I have not stretched anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😬

Not at all Kathy - sleeve patients seem to have the most similar experience to esg pts from what I see so the advice is very welcome [emoji6]

Hi SammyKay, I would have got out about 5 hrs after procedure too and think I was fairly slow to get nausea and pain under control. If you are feeling well I'm sure they would discharge you sooner. The nausea is pretty extreme first up, I imagine it is caused by a number of factors. It really does settle quickly though so just prepare for a few off days and you will be back up and going in no time.

Thanks JimL. We are at about the same stage post procedure by the sounds of things.

Wow, six years ago! Has the esg been successful long term for you?

Have you found the restriction enough to lose a sufficient amount of weight?

Hi Kathy, how many weeks out did you start eating? Thanks so much, Mel

@Belle3endosleeve How are you? Hope the first few days are going ok?

I needed to travel to another state to have the procedure but can honestly say by day 4 I was feeling heaps better and by day 5 back to normal and needing no meds. I lost 4.3 kg in a week so 7.1 kg down in 3 weeks. It's taken me 8 days for the fatigue to have subsided completely but it wasn't terrible. I honestly feel normal now - just hungry normal lol. I felt pretty down as eating has always been so enjoyable and to not be eating for a month sounds like torture. But my mindset today is heaps better and I am really not hungry and happy to start exercising. Just make the most of those 4 days to take all the meds you need and rest up, how old are your little ones? I think if you can plan to ease the load as much as possible in the first week then you will be completely back by week 2. Good luck, I can't wait to hear how you go.

My doctor has you nil orally for the first two days to reduce pain and nausea and let the sutures heal. So it would be impossible not to get dehydrated without the fluids, other drs may do it differently. First six months is when most of the wt should move however I'm told you lose for about 18 months. If a smoothie can fit through a strainer then it's ok.

Much better thanks Belle. My dr has an Iv clinic where you can go in each day and get what ever Iv fluids and meds you need and it's made a big difference. Saw the dr who is happy so I'm officially off and running. One more day of clear fluids then onto full fluids. The nausea is gone, just some cramps and feeling of indigestion at times. I now have to weigh in everyday (and the wt is sent electronically to the clinic to review constantly) from this point on. I'm told that my stomach for now can take a cup of thin fluids, or 1/2 cup thick fluids and then 1/3 cup solid food initially. Good luck for your procedure date. I would definitely recommend having 3 days after the procedure to really take it easy. If you can get help with the kids during this time, then it will help your recovery. Apparently 2-3 days is typical before you feel well again. Symptoms are really not pleasant at first but settle pretty quickly. Definitely ask for ALL the antinausea drugs - and know that you will be back to yourself in no time. Your going to do great - I'm really excited for you xo

Thanks for the update. It's certainly a rough road at first. I start clear fluids tomorrow and an starving hungry tonight. Does the hunger sensation subside? I am a month still from moving to puréed diet which seems like forever!

12 hours post ESG!! Tough day and hoping tomorrow is much better. But it's done, which is awesome.

@SydSyd So glad to hear that you are doing much better. I am 3 days out from my procedure and appreciate your honesty about the early struggles with esg. I imagine that its really difficult to eat enough protein now? What does your restriction feel like? The good, bad food is interesting - what sort of eating guidelines were you given? Thanks heaps and I hope your next week is even better. Mel

Enjoy that food funeral Kiki! I'm day six of my pre op diet and finding it tough going today. It must be really disappointing to be delayed, I hope it is smooth sailing from here. Mel.

Sydsyd We are all behind you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are going. Really hoping you turn the corner soon and are feeling much, much better x

@SydSyd I hope you are feeling better soon. Recovery sounds a little rough. What anti nausea and pain meds have you had?

@kikisue Nil by mouth for 2 days, clear fluids for 3 days, full fluids for 3 weeks then a week of puréed diet then soft foods. My understanding longer term is high protein, lower carb. Let us know how you are after your procedure - I will be 4 days behind you. Good luck.

@Belle3endosleeve My follow up sounds similar. Need to meet with the psychologist and nutritionist regularly. Which I am greatful for. It's a whole body re-education that will hopefully change my habits forever. Program success appears to correlate with ongoing follow up, the more frequent you see your team the higher the chance of success!

@Belle3endosleeve Ah, now that is smart. And it's true, we will be going hard at losing weight. It's not untrue to say we are eating much less and moving much more. It is interesting the idea that surgery is the "easy option". Seems far from easy to me. I have an amazing husband who tells me that it's a really brave choice, to give up something that you love (too much food) forever. And that gives me great perspective. It's true, we will need new coping strategies when food is no longer the reward or consolation prize. Does your program require ongoing appointments with a psychologist and nutritionist?

I'm 5'9 and 108 kg - hopefully not for long though. Have you told many people about the procedure yet? How much time are you taking off to recover? Is it nuts that I feel like life is about to begin all over again?? I'm so excited that we are doing this together!

Hi Belle3endosleeve, Thanks so much for your reply. I am almost 42, also have 3 kids and bmi is currently 36. I am about the start the 2 week pre procedure diet which is 2 shakes and a meal with 200g protein and non starchy veg. My dr has a very strict post procedure diet of 4 weeks liquid only, so I imagine it's going to be a tough month! And the worst is no drinking even water for the first 2 days. We are booked into a clinic for IV fluids only. what is your pre and post procedure diet like? Mel x