Melesg

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

It’s great to hear from you Mel!! Outstanding results and your commitment and resolve are what are even more impressive. 20 kgs is my goal as well and I’m hoping to reach it by my 6 month mark. The weight is coming off slowly but I’m satisfied with that because it’s teaching me healthier eating habits that I can follow in the long term. I’m also going to the gym now at a steady 5 times a week. I’m seeing more of a difference in how my clothes fit. I’ve gone done a size and just overall feel more confident and happier now. I’m hoping to just continue to lose even if it’s ounces rather than pounds. As long as my scale moves down I’m happy with the results and still feel motivated.
As always the best to you my dear!!

wow mel thats great so happy for you. and you dont know how i need to hear this. 1week pre esg for me now and i really really want it to be over im so scarred and nerveus. But this is really what i want and need greets from holland

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

You go girl! That's a really big loss so early, really proud of you. I had tons of Soup and I also found a high Protein normal milk which was nice when I was over the taste of the Protein Shakes. It does feel a little bit Groundhog Day but it will pass before you know it.You have hit your stride with energy much earlier then I did - you are really doing great. Keep up the updates x

You go girl! That's a really big loss so early, really proud of you. I had tons of Soup and I also found a high Protein normal milk which was nice when I was over the taste of the Protein Shakes. It does feel a little bit Groundhog Day but it will pass before you know it.You have hit your stride with energy much earlier then I did - you are really doing great. Keep up the updates x

Hello Mel 👋🏻👋🏻. It’s so wonderful to hear from you. I am down now 9 pounds. I’m trying not to be discouraged by the number on the scale. You were absolutely right that the greatest advantage of having this procedure is the amazing energy I have now. I can complete what I need to for the day(chores, housecleaning, etc.), get in a workout at the gym, make a nice dinner for my family and not feel overwhelmed or stressed out. I love this feeling!
Tex, you were right about the cravings, I am floored by the fact that a few nights ago we ordered pizza for the kids and I did not even feel the urge to have a slice. Yes I know I am only 12 days postop so pizza is a definite no-no but I just didn’t want any. 😱😱😱 You remember how concerned I was about this preop? I drink my Protein Shakes, my Bone Broth, my Greek yogurt and I’m full and happy as can be. If you guys remember an esg poster a while back named Alcerik. I believe he posted in detail about his experience with this procedure, he was very successful and advised the rest of us to stay on the full liquid phase as long as you can which I plan to do. As long as I’m not struggling I am going to stick with this stage. I have energy and I’m not cranky or irritable or hungry yet. I know this won’t last forever but I’m riding it out as long as I can.
I’ve read about others losing more but you know what I’m happy with my slow and steady progress. I’m in no rush and the energy and confidence this has given me has just been priceless guys.
Once again thanks for allowing me to share and for all of your love and support.
One more thing for the post ESGers, can you tell me what else you can recommend for me in the full liquid stage? I want to be proactive in case I get bored of — Protein shakes, bone broth, Greek yogurt, and sugar free Jello and pudding.
Thank you all!!!!

Awesome news hope4!!! Sounds like you are doing amazing!!! Well done, 7lbs is a big drop and you will see more lbs quickly disappear in the coming weeks. Sounds like you are already mentally in the zone too, not fighting the process and finding strategies to keep yourself in check. Cannot wait to hear your continued progress. Mel x

Hi again,
Next update for me 😀.
Ive lost 1.4kg (3.3 lbs) this week which was a nice surprise. Have been a bit under the weather so have not been to the gym as much. I have been logging my food and working on healthy Snacks and smaller meals. Also swapped breakfast for a Protein Shake. Excited to be 4.6 kg away from my initial goal weight. Thinking I may want to lose another 4 kg after that still but I will wait and see once I get there.
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the esg journey. I would love to see your progress updates for anyone willing to share ☺️.
Mel x

Hi again,
Next update for me 😀.
Ive lost 1.4kg (3.3 lbs) this week which was a nice surprise. Have been a bit under the weather so have not been to the gym as much. I have been logging my food and working on healthy Snacks and smaller meals. Also swapped breakfast for a Protein Shake. Excited to be 4.6 kg away from my initial goal weight. Thinking I may want to lose another 4 kg after that still but I will wait and see once I get there.
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the esg journey. I would love to see your progress updates for anyone willing to share ☺️.
Mel x

Thats awesome hope4momof4!
very excited to hear that you are done and dusted and recovering well. Can you believe it's done? Hugely proud of you of your determination to find the right procedure for you.
Take your time recovering, the fatigue hits you sometimes when you don't expect it. I remember going from I feel great to, wow I'm exhausted often in the first two weeks. Hope the fluids are going down easily.
looking forward to hearing about your progress
mel x

Nearly time my friend!
Dont worry if your pre op hasn't been perfect, it won't change a thing. Just that clear liquid phase is essential to stick to. The excitement will take over by then and I found it easy to stick to the clear fluids..
if the nerves kick in during the days, hours and minutes before your procedure just close your eyes, slow your breathing and think of the first things you want to do when you are skinny mini. Think about how nice it with feel to be fit and healthy, enjoying the sunshine and really living life to the max.
worry won't change anything for the better so just know you are in great hands with a precious guardian angle seeing you through this.
you got this, ten times over. Absolutely got it. Imagine where you weight will be in a months time - now that's exciting,
lots of love to you and I will be thinking of you and eagerly awaiting your updates xoxo

Nearly time my friend!
Dont worry if your pre op hasn't been perfect, it won't change a thing. Just that clear liquid phase is essential to stick to. The excitement will take over by then and I found it easy to stick to the clear fluids..
if the nerves kick in during the days, hours and minutes before your procedure just close your eyes, slow your breathing and think of the first things you want to do when you are skinny mini. Think about how nice it with feel to be fit and healthy, enjoying the sunshine and really living life to the max.
worry won't change anything for the better so just know you are in great hands with a precious guardian angle seeing you through this.
you got this, ten times over. Absolutely got it. Imagine where you weight will be in a months time - now that's exciting,
lots of love to you and I will be thinking of you and eagerly awaiting your updates xoxo

Welcome Patricia!

Welcome Patricia!

Melesg, great to hear from you, really like the motivating thoughts you shared! Hope all is going well for you. Similar experience for me, the initial sedation had me fairly weak and I can't recall much from the initial discussion with the anesthetist. Since November procedure I'm the ultimate cheap drunk! Take care!
Tex

already red alot of youre storys hoe are you doing now with eading en weight loss sorrie my englisch isnt very good

It's totally normal to worry about your kids at this time. Remember that this is giving them back a fit and healthy mama. And nothing terrible has happened to date with esg. It's safe, routine for doctors who have experience with it and you are in a health facility that deal with unwell patients often. I was nervous before I got to the clinic and then saw how professional and fantastic the staff were and I couldn't stop smiling before I went it. They also give you some sedation before the general anaesthetic. I was out of it half way through my introductory conversation with the anaesthetist. We laughed afterwards that I must be a cheap drunk as I have no tolerance for drugs lol. My procedure was honestly a breeze - just the nausea afterwards that made it unpleasant. But that passes.
Mel x

It's totally normal to worry about your kids at this time. Remember that this is giving them back a fit and healthy mama. And nothing terrible has happened to date with esg. It's safe, routine for doctors who have experience with it and you are in a health facility that deal with unwell patients often. I was nervous before I got to the clinic and then saw how professional and fantastic the staff were and I couldn't stop smiling before I went it. They also give you some sedation before the general anaesthetic. I was out of it half way through my introductory conversation with the anaesthetist. We laughed afterwards that I must be a cheap drunk as I have no tolerance for drugs lol. My procedure was honestly a breeze - just the nausea afterwards that made it unpleasant. But that passes.
Mel x

It's totally normal to worry about your kids at this time. Remember that this is giving them back a fit and healthy mama. And nothing terrible has happened to date with esg. It's safe, routine for doctors who have experience with it and you are in a health facility that deal with unwell patients often. I was nervous before I got to the clinic and then saw how professional and fantastic the staff were and I couldn't stop smiling before I went it. They also give you some sedation before the general anaesthetic. I was out of it half way through my introductory conversation with the anaesthetist. We laughed afterwards that I must be a cheap drunk as I have no tolerance for drugs lol. My procedure was honestly a breeze - just the nausea afterwards that made it unpleasant. But that passes.
Mel x

So excited for you hope4momof4, it's so close now. My advice would be to take EVERYTHING for nausea control, emend included if it is offered.
Long term, no ppi (such as somac) for me, just had them for 2 weeks post op. Vitamins include a Multivitamin, vit d and Calcium and Biotin to help minimise Hair loss which is common after weight loss.
quick update on me. I haven't lost anything on the scales for a few weeks but can see lots of toning and slimming from the gym. My goal is to lose another 6kg and then decide how much more I want to lose after that. I may be happy or decide I want to lose some more. So I am about 30lb down and feel that my current eating and exercise allows me to maintain my weight. I am trying to cut down on snacking but find that exercise gives me an appetite increase so I need to be careful. Still feeling great and enjoying a much healthier lifestyle.
Mel x

Such a wonderful perspective from a very sad time. So positive to hear you are celebrating your mum by committing to your own health. I hope you are continuing to feel our love and support ❤️
How is the pre procedure food plan going? I'm guessing that you are getting close to lots of shakes and nor too much else?
Mel x

Such a wonderful perspective from a very sad time. So positive to hear you are celebrating your mum by committing to your own health. I hope you are continuing to feel our love and support ❤️
How is the pre procedure food plan going? I'm guessing that you are getting close to lots of shakes and nor too much else?
Mel x

Hello my ESG family. First of all I would like to sincerely thank Tex, Mel, and Amy for the sweetest condolences on my mother’s death. Your words, prayers, and thoughts truly meant the world to me.
It has been two weeks now since my mom passed and I’m trying to cope with this devastating loss. So as you may have guessed— healthy eating was not a priority. However, I’ve managed to keep my weight under reasonable control considering the circumstances. It is something that I must know put as a priority in my life. My mother was very ill and unfortunately her weight ,bad eating habits, and lack of exercise contributed to the worsening of her condition as the years went by. I don’t want to go through what she did. Her quality of life in the last few years was horrible. She had no energy to go out and enjoy life. She needed constant help and care. I do miss her tremendously but I know that she in now in a better place. She didn’t want to live the way that she did. Her last hospitalization was painful to watch. She was basically kept alive by the machines attached to her. If she had survived that last hospital stay I am positive she would have needed a 24 hour nurse or something to get by. I know she didn’t want to live that way.
I’m still grieving her loss but it has in a strange way made me more determined to get my weight issue taken care of. I am going forward with my scheduled esg on February 6. I think now more than ever I have to take care of my health. I’m sure my mother would have wanted it that way.

Well done Tex, you have lost a lot of weight quickly. You have been very dedicated to your plan and it shows. Keep up the great work. Mel.