Melesg

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

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.

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.