ESG Progress Updates For Accountability

[hope4momof4 162]

On 12/5/2017 at 6:26 PM, Tex Slim 66 said:

Wow, great week! good job BubblesCT you're working some important challenges and making progress! well done!

Hey TexSlim. How are you doing? Please update us on your week. Have you continued to lose? You did say that you felt your clothes getting looser. Have you had your follow up with your physician yet? Are you experiencing any hunger? Hope you are still doing well.

[Tex Slim 66 94]

Hey, hope4momof4, great idea with this thread, really cool way to keep us all getting positive messages each week. I'm now just over 2 weeks after procedure and down 14 pounds. I'm still primarily doing a liquid diet with Protein Drinks and Soups. Have added yogurt and tried some small portions of chicken and fish (both ±2 ounces). Lots of chewing, so far so good, no reactions from my new stomach. Average 600-800 calories a day. Lots of Water.

I'm down one size in pants and that feels so much better, moved all my "larger" pants out to the garage and will be donating them to charity. I'm not going back.

I just don't get hungry like I used to, sounds difficult to believe, but I have zero urge to munch at the end of the day before/after "dinner". This used to be the worst hours of the day for me, mentally I look back and think it was more like grazing (emotional not physical eating).

I'm going to try going back to the gym next week and building up my cardio and strength, will let you know how that goes. Have a great weekend!

[hope4momof4 162]

45 minutes ago, Tex Slim 66 said:

Hey, hope4momof4, great idea with this thread, really cool way to keep us all getting positive messages each week. I'm now just over 2 weeks after procedure and down 14 pounds. I'm still primarily doing a liquid diet with Protein drinks and Soups. Have added yogurt and tried some small portions of chicken and fish (both ±2 ounces). Lots of chewing, so far so good, no reactions from my new stomach. Average 600-800 calories a day. Lots of Water.

I'm down one size in pants and that feels so much better, moved all my "larger" pants out to the garage and will be donating them to charity. I'm not going back.

I just don't get hungry like I used to, sounds difficult to believe, but I have zero urge to munch at the end of the day before/after "dinner". This used to be the worst hours of the day for me, mentally I look back and think it was more like grazing (emotional not physical eating).

I'm going to try going back to the gym next week and building up my cardio and strength, will let you know how that goes. Have a great weekend!

Awesome Tex. You are doing just fabulous. 14 pounds gone and one pants size! Your weight loss will continue and maybe even accelerate when you add exercise but make sure to clear this with your doc first. At only 2 weeks out don’t take any chances! Great to hear from you.

Please continue to post.

[hope4momof4 162]

Well guys it’s Monday and I want to continue to post my progress, challenges, and setbacks for the sake of accountability.

Progress: This week I had my ESG consultation on 12/7 and was scheduled for the procedure on 2/7. I don’t need any blood tests or clearances so I’m all ready to go physically but mentally I’ll have to work on it.

Challenges: understanding that I have to change my habits and quickly because the procedure will fail if I revert back to old habits.

Setbacks: I have noticed that since I began this journey and decided I would get this procedure I have done what I always did before starting a radical or extreme diet. That is, eating what I want and making unhealthy choices because I’m thinking that I will start losing weight and I might as well enjoy overeating while I can. This is the reason why I’m obese right now. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’ve done this all throughout these years of yo yo dieting. I’d constantly say to myself that I’m starting a very restrictive diet tomorrow so I’m going to eat whatever I want to know to sort of get that out of my system. The next day I would start the extreme diet and last for a short time (sometimes not even one day 😣😣) because it was obviously not sustainable and I’d cheat and start that ridiculous cycle again. In the meantime I would pack on pounds throughout the process making my goal harder and harder to reach. I have to stop this! With my esg procedure coming up I’m finding myself doing worse and I am making a promise to correct this now before I set myself up for failure again. Wish me luck. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[BubblesCT 83]

1 hour ago, hope4momof4 said:

Well guys it’s Monday and I want to continue to post my progress, challenges, and setbacks for the sake of accountability.

Progress: This week I had my ESG consultation on 12/7 and was scheduled for the procedure on 2/7. I don’t need any blood tests or clearances so I’m all ready to go physically but mentally I’ll have to work on it.

Challenges: understanding that I have to change my habits and quickly because the procedure will fail if I revert back to old habits.

Setbacks: I have noticed that since I began this journey and decided I would get this procedure I have done what I always did before starting a radical or extreme diet. That is, eating what I want and making unhealthy choices because I’m thinking that I will start losing weight and I might as well enjoy overeating while I can. This is the reason why I’m obese right now. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’ve done this all throughout these years of yo yo dieting. I’d constantly say to myself that I’m starting a very restrictive diet tomorrow so I’m going to eat whatever I want to know to sort of get that out of my system. The next day I would start the extreme diet and last for a short time (sometimes not even one day 😣😣) because it was obviously not sustainable and I’d cheat and start that ridiculous cycle again. In the meantime I would pack on pounds throughout the process making my goal harder and harder to reach. I have to stop this! With my esg procedure coming up I’m finding myself doing worse and I am making a promise to correct this now before I set myself up for failure again. Wish me luck. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Congratulations on your progress toward your procedure. I understand the behavior you describe as I have done that many of times. Maybe look at it this way...the weight you loose before your surgery will contribute to your goal weight post surgery. You have 8 weeks before your procedure, even the smallest weight loss would be a head start. If you want a weight loss pal I'm here for ya. I know you are not required to have a nutritionist but maybe the support of one would't be such a bad thing.

[BubblesCT 83]

Progress: Still no carbs/sugar. I scheduled an appointment with gastric sleeve doctor for January 10th and I meet with his nutritionist on December 18th. I'm still going through the process for ESG procedure, I meet with their nutritionist this Friday.

Challenges: I'm struggling with the amount of food I'm eating. I'm always hungry, coming off the phen has increased my appetite.

Setbacks: I'm up 5 pounds since stopping the Phen and I feel defeated and depressed. I'm not sure if the ESG will be most beneficial for me long term. Feeling stuck.

[hope4momof4 162]

I’m sorry to hear that Bubbles. 😔 This is exactly why I am afraid to come off phentermine. You decide what is best for you. You have some time to make this decision so don’t rush and make sure you are absolutely ready to move forward. This is no harm in postponing even more if necessary. If you want more real life accounts of both ESG and LSG you should join the Facebook groups for each. There are two Facebook groups for ESG that I am a member of, one is a USA group and the other is out of Australia. Both have hundreds of members who will give you honest accounts of their experience. As Melesg has mentioned ,the Australian one is sometimes brutally honest about their successes or lack of. This is what you need. You need truth and honesty and not a fantasy idea of the success rate. But the stories there are touching and there are several who are successful on both groups. There is also a group called low BMI sleevers who are people who have had the gastric sleeve done with a BMI of less than 35. This may interest you as they post several times a day. Try both types of groups out and gain whatever knowledge you can to make an informed decision.

One common theme throughout every and any weight loss surgery or procedure is that it will only work if you do your part. Even those who’ve had a gastric bypass considered the gold standard can eat out their surgery. There are no guarantees. However, you can choose the best procedure that will give you the best chances of success. As always best of luck on your decision. Keep posting my dear.

[hope4momof4 162]

2 hours ago, BubblesCT said:

Congratulations on your progress toward your procedure. I understand the behavior you describe as I have done that many of times. Maybe look at it this way...the weight you loose before your surgery will contribute to your goal weight post surgery. You have 8 weeks before your procedure, even the smallest weight loss would be a head start. If you want a weight loss pal I'm here for ya. I know you are not required to have a nutritionist but maybe the support of one would't be such a bad thing.

Most definitely Bubbles. We can do this together regardless of what procedure you choose. Support for me would be critical as I’m a very private person and no one will know about this besides my husband, not even my 4 boys! I’ll need you more than you know. I’m sure you’ve read how invaluable the support has been from the other members— in particular Melesg, Tex Slim, and AmyAlexis. I wouldn’t have ventured forward without them.

[BubblesCT 83]

1 hour ago, hope4momof4 said:

I’m sorry to hear that Bubbles. 😔 This is exactly why I am afraid to come off phentermine. You decide what is best for you. You have some time to make this decision so don’t rush and make sure you are absolutely ready to move forward. This is no harm in postponing even more if necessary. If you want more real life accounts of both ESG and LSG you should join the Facebook groups for each. There are two Facebook groups for ESG that I am a member of, one is a USA group and the other is out of Australia. Both have hundreds of members who will give you honest accounts of their experience. As Melesg has mentioned ,the Australian one is sometimes brutally honest about their successes or lack of. This is what you need. You need truth and honesty and not a fantasy idea of the success rate. But the stories there are touching and there are several who are successful on both groups. There is also a group called low BMI sleevers who are people who have had the gastric sleeve done with a BMI of less than 35. This may interest you as they post several times a day. Try both types of groups out and gain whatever knowledge you can to make an informed decision.

One common theme throughout every and any weight loss surgery or procedure is that it will only work if you do your part. Even those who’ve had a gastric bypass considered the gold standard can eat out their surgery. There are no guarantees. However, you can choose the best procedure that will give you the best chances of success. As always best of luck on your decision. Keep posting my dear.

You are the best hope4momof4, you are so supportive. It's great having such an intelligent, informed and supportive friend like you in our forum. I will take my time and join the groups like you suggested. The decision is a big and scary one for me so I want to feel comfortable. Thanks for the information.

[hope4momof4 162]

🤣🤣Supportive? Ok I do try my best but intelligent? I’m not sure about that one. I haven’t even had the procedure yet my dear but I will tell you that when I do, God willing 🤞🏻, I’ll be more than happy to continue posting. I think it’s so much more important post op because think of how much people like us needed those who have gone through it to help us out. It’s also therapeutic. I find just posting my failures helps me understand why it happens. In addition this forum is so supportive and helpful. I love getting genuine solutions from people who have struggled just like us. In addition there is no shame and embarrassment in our posts here. We may know a bit about our lives and families but we don’t see each other everyday so that allows us to open up unhindered. It also keeps us honest. I’m glad we are all here for each other!💝💝

[AmyAlexis 81]

6 hours ago, BubblesCT said:

Progress: Still no carbs/sugar. I scheduled an appointment with gastric sleeve doctor for January 10th and I meet with his nutritionist on December 18th. I'm still going through the process for ESG procedure, I meet with their nutritionist this Friday.

Challenges: I'm struggling with the amount of food I'm eating. I'm always hungry, coming off the phen has increased my appetite.

Setbacks: I'm up 5 pounds since stopping the Phen and I feel defeated and depressed. I'm not sure if the ESG will be most beneficial for me long term. Feeling stuck.

Hi Bubbles--

I so understand what you're feeling right now. Been there so many times, and of course it's a viscous circle - we overeat, and gain weight and feel like crap about ourselves and guilty and all the rest, so we eat more and on and on and on.

It took me a long time to decide whether I was going to do ESG. It's a big move! This isn't just another diet, or drug that you can just stop. It's a physical change that is going to force you to eat less.

I can only speak for myself - but I was at a point where I was so sick of being out of control and not being able to eat normally, that I took the plunge. I just made the leap. I could have overthought it and probably would have stopped myself. Especially if I started to lose weight again on my own- but I knew that it would be temporary.

Take your time. Talk to the nutritionist. Tell her about the phen issue.

It's an important decision. You'll do it - or not - in a time that's right for you.

AmyA

[hope4momof4 162]

Great advice AmyAlexis!! This is exactly what this forum is for. Thank you for chiming in! Your support is so appreciated!!

[BubblesCT 83]

12 hours ago, AmyAlexis said:

Hi Bubbles--

I so understand what you're feeling right now. Been there so many times, and of course it's a viscous circle - we overeat, and gain weight and feel like crap about ourselves and guilty and all the rest, so we eat more and on and on and on.

It took me a long time to decide whether I was going to do ESG. It's a big move! This isn't just another diet, or drug that you can just stop. It's a physical change that is going to force you to eat less.

I can only speak for myself - but I was at a point where I was so sick of being out of control and not being able to eat normally, that I took the plunge. I just made the leap. I could have overthought it and probably would have stopped myself. Especially if I started to lose weight again on my own- but I knew that it would be temporary.

Take your time. Talk to the nutritionist. Tell her about the phen issue.

It's an important decision. You'll do it - or not - in a time that's right for you.

AmyA

Thank you AmyAlexis for your support. I will take my time, and make sure I make the best decision for me. How's your recovery going? Are you still feeling restriction when you eat? I'm happy that you are safely on the other side of the fence.

[Tex Slim 66 94]

Bubbles, great post, don't get stressed too much. We have all yo-yo dieted for decades and it is extremely frustrating and demotivating. There is a path out of this to a healthier and happier life. Keep looking at different alternatives and stay positive that you can change your future. Regardless of Vertical sleeve or ESG the procedure's impact of reducing your stomach size is going to help you get to a more disciplined and healthy eating/lifestyle. We will still support you regardless of which procedure and path forward you choose, in the end you need to select one that you believe in the most. AmyAlexis, great advice as always, your such a great influence on this forum.

For me, after a great first two weeks post ESG, I'm in a bit of a stall this week only lost one pound. I'm not changing my eating discipline and still don't "feel hungry" like I used to. I'm recognizing that my snacking and grazing was focused on different issues and the feeling that I can manage this now is much stronger following my procedure. Gonna keep on the right path and I will lose more in the weeks to come!

[AmyAlexis 81]

Thank you AmyAlexis for your support. I will take my time, and make sure I make the best decision for me. How's your recovery going? Are you still feeling restriction when you eat? I'm happy that you are safely on the other side of the fence.

Hi bubbles. It’s going really well. Last checked down 18lbs.
I know a lot of people here call it ‘feeling restriction’ but to me that feel like a negative. No one wants to feel restricted. But what I do feel is ‘full’ when I have eaten enough.
I used to feel full only when I had eaten way too much.
This was my goal, so I’m happy so far. Plus I have yet to feel hunger - another plus.
AmyA