Melesg

On 9/29/2022 at 8:17 AM, thinkt2013 said:

I have MS and had the band 10 years ago. Now I’m back, and going to get Gastric Bypass. My MS was a non issue.

Can I ask if you have had a relapse or any effect on your ms since surgery?

Hi everyone.
I have finally hit my goal weight!!!

I am over 2 years post ESG now and stated regaining weight steadily late in 2018. I was really worried I would be back where I started regarding my weight so booked a surgical consult to consider revision to a bypass or gastric sleeve. As the wait was 2 months to see the surgeon I wanted to see, I decided to see a doctor led weight loss clinic and start saxenda. I am glad to say that I am now at goal weight, 28kg lost over 2 years with my combination of ESG and saxenda. No surgery needed. For those of you who have had esg and who are struggling with hunger, this has helped me so much. I have mild restriction to meals from ESG but it was snacking that was killing my weight loss. The saxenda has helped this greatly. The combination of the two has been effective.

On 11/04/2019 at 12:25, Hop_Scotch said:

That is absolutely fantastic! Well done.

Has saxenda come down in price yet?

Unfortunately not. I have reduced the dose now but will need to continue using it for some time. It’s been worth the money for me but it most definitely is expensive. I eat a lot less, particularly takeaway and convenience foods so count that saving toward the cost. Also dropped my gym membership and just walk now with some at home resistance work. Once I drop another dose I think these savings just about evens the cost of sax out for me.

So I have finally hit my goal!! Total of 28kg lost over 2 years with the combination of esg and saxenda. Definitely needed the saxenda as I feel the appetite suppression is key for me. I am now beginning maintenance and will stay on saxenda for months at least, at a reducing dose. Wish me luck. Mel

Thank you, I am. Saxenda plus topamax has really changed my appetite so weight loss has been much easier. I hope it stays this way!

Had my consult with the bariatric surgeon. He said that sleeve or bypass are both possible after esg. Sleeve would depend on the anatomy of the stomach and could only be done if the stomach had dilated or stretched a lot since esg. He did also add that if the esg did not work for me then a sleeve may also not be as effective. The only way to see what would be best is to do a gastroscope and decide after this. He did say that as this is considered revision surgery, a leak from a sleeve or bypass would be higher risk and that his preference is most likely a bypass but would wait until after a scope to further discuss this with me and decide.
As for now, I have lost 15kg in 2019. Hoping not to need surgery but glad to have a plan to move forward if I do.
Mel xx

Hi all, still on the saxenda. Now have lost 14.5kg. Am seeing surgeon in 2 days just for future advice on weight loss surgery options after esg as I no longer need it now. Didn’t want to cancel appt as it has taken a long time to get one and I want a plan incase I regain. Will let you know his opinion.

It’s working for me. 11kg (24.2 lbs) in 2 months.

Quick update. Now at 11kg down and am lower than my lowest esg weight. Side effects of saxenda have past but feeling some hunger for the first time in 2 months. Able to exercise regularly now so it’s time to keep losing. 8kg to go until I reach the goal my dr has suggested . Glad to have found this option. 😊

I will try that again lol. Down 9.6kg. The side effects of sax have been a little rough but sticking to 800 cal has been achievable. I’m happy to feel average for a few months if it means the weight continues to come off. The plan is to increase to 1200 cal a day low carb and have maintenance dose of sax for up to 2 years once I am at an acceptable and sustainable weight.

Now 9.6 kg lost. The sideffects of

Update.
Have now finished 3 weeks on sax and have lost 8.4kg since 1st jan (two weeks on Keto pre sax). I have just gone up to 2.4mg and hope to stay at this dose potentially but we will see. Sticking to about 800 cal, low carb high Protein. Appetite is greatly reduced. I definitely fell tired and lacking energy but hope that will reduce once I am on my ongoing dose. Very happy overall and hoping that this keeps working. I have lost as much in a month on this that I did initially over 2 months with my esg. Mel x

No nausea and vomiting. Just very fatigued but as I am following a low carb 800 calorie diet under dr supervision, the tiredness may be because of lack of calories! I am on 1.8 mg, due to go to 2.4 in 3 days time. This may be the dose I stay on. It definitely takes the edge off hunger and makes you quite disinterested in food. No sweet cravings at all. Could happily eat just 1 healthy meal a day at this point. And plenty of coffee of course.

Hi all, the saxenda has been working well. 6.8kg down this month. Gee I wish I had started this when I first had my esg. They would be a great alternative to a gastric sleeve if done together . Restriction plus appetite suppression win : win.

I have now started saxenda to try help with the hunger and appetite in conjunction with a dr supervised 800 calorie a day diet for now. I will post an update when I have something to report. Still have appt with surgeon booked in March to discuss what surgical options are available post esg. Mel 😊

I am seeing a surgeon in March about the possibility of revision. Need to have gastroscope before the consult to see what options would be available. He is very experienced in bariatric surgery but I would be his first esg revision.

On ‎21‎/‎03‎/‎2018 at 1:29 AM, ASHLEIGH77 said:

Mel,

Thank you so much for sharing your information with me... so many people have asked me... Are you sure? Do you really want to do this? Aren't you scared? Why can't you just work harder to lose the weight... But during these questions and the 40 years I have lived, I realized that my entire existence since I can remember, I have always been the cute chubby girl. The funny fat girl. I am tired. I am so much more than just the outside, but i am not comfortable in my body. I want to be able to fun, bike swim and not get winded. I want to feel comfortable all the time, not when I am starving myself. I have been mentally preparing and trying to convince myself that I am doing this for me and no one else. I am doing this to be an example for my daughter that it's okay to be strong and be positive and it's totally okay to put yourself first. Thank you so much.. I really appreciate it....

Hi Ashleigh, How are you? How have you been progressing over the past few months?

Mel x

Hi Again,

Not sure if anyone is still reading this thread but I thought a quick update might be useful. I have lost 2 kg so still not yet at my pre-holiday weight. But I am happy that the numbers are going down. This was exactly the danger zone for me in the past, becoming disheartened at weight gain and thinking, bugger it I may as well just keep eating.

Have spoken with the awesome physio and dietician at the clinic who have been guiding me back to making better choices. I am trying to tell myself that I am only 6-7 kg away from my goal. Its not that much (compared to 20kg ago) but yet it is HARD.

Currently working on increasing weight training and getting the snacking under control. I really want to be at goal by Christmas so I better get cracking!!

Mel x

Hi Everyone,

So after a 4 week vacation, I gained 4 kg!!!! Damn.

Its been interesting reading the updates and I totally hear those of you that feel disappointed in your. restriction and weightloss results.

I am also feeling in a bit of a slump and was really hoping that I would be unable to eat big meals post esg but I have to say my restriction is minimal and again it becomes a mental game of sticking to a diet. I was hoping to never diet again.

For me, I am finding it hard to wean off the snack foods and get back into exercise. I know I need to recommit to healthy eating otherwise the 4kg gain could easily turn into 14.

Wishing you all lots of luck to reach your weightloss goals.

Mel x

10 hours ago, patriciaholland said:

feeling really sick today

Hope you feel much better very soon Patricia. It will get better but it's awful to feel very unwell. Thinking of you.

Mel x

On 21/03/2018 at 11:29 PM, ASHLEIGH77 said:

mel,

I am scheduled for ESG Wednesday in 1 week!!

Can't wait!!

ash

Ash that's wonderful. And sooo exciting. Good luck, I will be thinking of you. Make sure you check in regularly and update us on your progress.

Mel x

16 hours ago, ASHLEIGH77 said:

Mel,

Thank you so much for sharing your information with me... so many people have asked me... Are you sure? Do you really want to do this? Aren't you scared? Why can't you just work harder to lose the weight... But during these questions and the 40 years I have lived, I realized that my entire existence since I can remember, I have always been the cute chubby girl. The funny fat girl. I am tired. I am so much more than just the outside, but i am not comfortable in my body. I want to be able to fun, bike swim and not get winded. I want to feel comfortable all the time, not when I am starving myself. I have been mentally preparing and trying to convince myself that I am doing this for me and no one else. I am doing this to be an example for my daughter that it's okay to be strong and be positive and it's totally okay to put yourself first. Thank you so much.. I really appreciate it....

Hi Ashleigh,

Its lovely to hear from you. I can totally relate and knew the esg could give me a real chance to be happy. It's impossible not to have our kids as a huge motivator - they are so influenced by us and as such, it's very important to be a great role model and to be fully present. I'm sure you are a brilliant mum, but it's hard to see that when you feel exhausted and when you hold yourself back due to weight. I HATE the fact that I am in very few photos and movies when my kids were little. I never felt that I wanted to be in front of the camera so don't have photos that show how much we loved spending time together and the pure joy that they had on their faces when I played with them.

Its for that reason that I am going on a beach holiday and be very active with my family soon, not only will I be in the photos, I will be in swimwear 😳😬. And make no mistakes, I am still working on my bikini bod. But you know what... I just don't care. Really couldn't give a stuff how I look. But I will feel amazing being surrounded by my kiddos. And there will be photos this time

If you decide the esg is for you, it can work. Absolutely. You just have to tap into the support on offer and keep working on your progress.

Mel

18 hours ago, hope4momof4 said:

Hello again old friend. Very inspirational as usual. Did you ever think that after losing a very impressive 20 kgs. you’d be trying to decide how much more you want to lose? Your hard work and persistence is what got you there and I congratulate you on your success.

Your words couldn’t be more true. I’ve spent the better part of the decade hating my obese body or just accepting that I won’t ever look the way I want to. Why should we settle? We can have the body we always wanted, it just takes patience and determination. This procedure is certainly not a magic solution but it does make it easier to stay the course. You were right about the restriction being less than what I had hoped but it does stop me from overeating the way I used to after going on one of my ridiculous extreme diets.

So proud of you Mel! 20 kgs. is amazing. You are averaging about 7 lbs. a month which my doctor thinks is excellent. I’m six weeks post op today and my total weight loss is about 13 pounds. It’s not an enormous amount but I know I couldn’t have done it without this procedure. I’m going to keep exercising and eating the right foods as I still have a little over 30 pounds to go. It’s so great to have this forum. Your support and experiences are what keep me motivated!!

You are doing wonderful and I'm very proud of you. I honestly think the slower pace of weightloss has allowed me to learn the lessons that I need to keep moving forward. The trial and error of seeing how much you can eat and lose weight is important. The stalls have also taught me the importance of both consistency and the need to be forever changing what you do. Changing the exercise, adding Protein, drinking more Water, curbing the snacking and admitting when I wander off track are important things to learn and implement. As much as overnight weightloss would be awesome, it would not change your thoughts and mind set.

Surrender to the reeducation and be as patient as you can - it's worth it!

Mel x

Not sure if I have updated my ticker correctly but I am officially 20kg down today!!!

My six month anniversary feelings on esg....

If I can do this then I think anyone can. For those of you post op - trust your esg and work with it. You need to put in the effort and if you do, it works. For those of you considering esg, there are many of us making steady progress towards realistic and healthy goal weights.

The "restriction" is not what I imagined. It does limit the volume you can eat but you have to make the mental choice to put the fork down. I am less interested in snacking as the food moves slower through the stomach (mine was shortened as well as reduced in width).

I have reintroduced a Protein Shake for Breakfast as this really helps to curb my appetite later in the day. Regular exercise also keeps me eating better as I don't want to undo all the hard work at the gym for extra food. I look forward to eating a treat or special meal but no longer let this unravel my day or week of healthy eating. Its right back to nutritious food.

The next decision is how many more kgs I want to lose. I am having another body composition scan tomorrow to measure my fat loss and muscle gain since my esg and follow up with my doctor on Friday.

If you had of told me that I would lose 20kg in six months I would have not believed it. Very greatful to be here and continuing to lose a little more.

If the esg is for you, do it.

If not, do something.

Living life in an obese body is hard. And the years tick by. Before you know it, another decade will pass in an overweight body. I know it's scary. Take the leap of faith, wherever that takes you. Good luck.

Mel x

Hi guys, sorry it's been some time since I last checked in. I am officially 6 months post esg and have lost almost 17kg. Adding my initial 3kg loss that makes me 20 kg less than this time last year. I have been working hard at the gym to build muscle mass so probably look like I have had a bigger weight loss than 20 kg and have gone down 3 dress sizes.

Life post esg is great. I would still like to lose another 5-8kg over the next 6 months but am really just starting to see how different I am to a year ago. I am in no real hurry to lose the remaining weight and am putting more focus on nutritious food and exercise over dropping the pounds.

Im so glad to see our esg favourites doing so well. Hope4 and Tex, happy for you both that you continue to make progress and are feeling the benefits of your esg's.

mel xo