Tex Slim 66

Hello all! It’s been exactly one week since my Esg procedure. I saw my doc yesterday and it looks like since my procedure day 2/6 I’ve lost 7 pounds. I’m extremely excited because I’m starting to notice it in how my clothes fit. My doc has cleared me for cardio exercise but still no heavy lifting or over exertion for fear of stretching or breaking the sutures.
I’m on full liquids now and not finding it extremely difficult as long as I get in enough Protein which on average is 85-100g per day. I also feel like I have more energy and not much fatigue at all. This part amazes me considering I’m not taking in more than 700-800 calories a day max. Pre-esg this wasn’t possible except when I crashed Diet and even then of course that was definitely not sustainable.
Incredible how Tex and Mel were right that this was how I’d feel post esg. No cravings for sweets—gone, so far. And I feel like I have energy to complete everything I need to during my day with time to spare. (You were right Mel, my home has never been cleaner!!)
On a funny but happy side note, my teenage kids even noticed I lost some weight. That is an accomplishment because my boys hardly notice anything.
Keeping my fingers crossed that the weight will continue to come off. Hopefully now I’m that I’m exercising it will. Till next time guys. Please keep posting. 💝💝💝

(note - I posted this in the wrong area, and have no idea how to delete that)
Hi everyone!
I've been on a work project and away from home for about a week so have been totally negligent on posting -
Hope, did you have your procedure? You said it was Feb 6 but I haven't seen an actual post that you did it and how you are feeling and doing?
I've been doing well- down 26.5lbs since the Nov 8 procedure, and 5.5lbs away from my goal.
Just saw my doc for our 2nd post op visit and she said I've lost 16% of my weight in the 3 months and doing great!
Also got blood work follow up done. Getting results in now and should hear from her soon on that. I can see that my cholesterol is still high- so I expect some meds in my future.
My daily foods have remained pretty consistant. Yogurt/blueberries for Breakfast (and coffee), then a Protein Shake. lunch over the last week has been salad with grilled chicken - but the diff is, that I bought the big salad and it lasted for 4 lunches rather than 1 or 2.
Have also added a nightly snack of Halo Top - but instead of the whole pint, I measure out 4oz and it's plenty and satisfying.
So, all seems to be working in terms of satisfaction and fullness - but I still weigh everything when I can to keep me honest - since I don't trust my eyes
Glad to see everyone doing so great! Shout outs toTex and Mel, and Luv who appears to be new since I've been here last.
AmyA

Hi everyone!
I've been on a work project and away from home for about a week so have been totally negligent on posting -
Hope, did you have your procedure? You said it was Feb 6 but I haven't seen an actual post that you did it and how you are feeling and doing?
I've been doing well- down 26.5lbs since the Nov 8 procedure, and 5.5lbs away from my goal.
Just saw my doc for our 2nd post op visit and she said I've lost 16% of my weight in the 3 months and doing great!
Also got blood work follow up done. Getting results in now and should hear from her soon on that. I can see that my cholesterol is still high- so I expect some meds in my future.
My daily foods have remained pretty consistant. Yogurt/blueberries for Breakfast (and coffee), then a Protein Shake. lunch over the last week has been salad with grilled chicken - but the diff is, that I bought the big salad and it lasted for 4 lunches rather than 1 or 2.
Have also added a nightly snack of Halo Top - but instead of the whole pint, I measure out 4oz and it's plenty and satisfying.
So, all seems to be working in terms of satisfaction and fullness - but I still weigh everything when I can to keep me honest - since I don't trust my eyes
Glad to see everyone doing so great! Shout outs toTex and Mel, and Luv who appears to be new since I've been here last.
AmyA

Just wanted to share an update. Today makes 14 weeks since my procedure at John Hopkins and I'm down 45 pounds. I'm eating 2 - 3 small meals a day and exercising 3-4 times a week. I'm 35 pounds away from goal.

Melesg, great job, that a big step particularly after what you have already lost. Interesting to see you went back to Protein Shake for Breakfast, I have been thinking about doing the same thing. I need to pick up my gym work and make fitness a larger part of my goals going forward. I'm down between 1-2 pounds per week the last month or so. I'm at a weight that I haven't seen since my early 40's, which is a really nice feeling, Getting ready to go down another waist size (will be 4" down so far) which is even better.
Also great to hear you are thinking about what is the best target for you and judging by how you fell, not just a number, very positive thought process. Take care and keep in touch!
Tex

Hope4momof4, I knew you could do it. So great to hear of your progress in day 4, nice that you were able to stop the pain pills on day 3, good move. Thanks for sharing your details so that other's can know the experience is not so traumatic and can make a huge improvement in their health and quality of life. Keep going you are in for a great next 3 months with your body finally feeling like it has come back under your control and not that of cravings. Have a great weekend!
Tex

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

Good morning all! It certainly is a good morning for me. I’m feeling almost 100% today which is Day 4 post op. In fact, yesterday I was almost completely back to my old self except for the part that I could only drink Clear Liquids and I was still feeling a little sluggish.
Tex Slim 66, I can honestly say that almost everything you described to me about postop happened with me to a tee. I kept thinking that I doubt I’ll have the same experience as Tex. I also thought maybe he’s trying to sugarcoat it a bit. I figured well he’s a tough Texas man and his threshold for pain is way higher than mine so I was preparing for the worst. But my friend you were right. I rarely felt any real pain except just after I woke up in the recovery room. (One Percocet took care of that). After that I really didn’t feel much pain at all. As of yesterday I am off all meds except for the one for acid reflux which I only need to take for another week or so just as a precaution. No nausea at all. Thankfully no vomiting or dry heaving either. I don’t feel any hunger so full liquids for me are fine. All of your advice was extremely helpful—from getting up to walk to alleviate gas to sleeping at an incline to prevent the gas. So glad I’m over this first hurdle!!
Melesg— your beautiful words of encouragement carried me through the procedure. I kept remembering that my guardian angel (my late mother) was watching over me and when I started to feel a bit of panic, I’d take three long breaths and it would calm and relax me. You were also right about my children not even noticing— like you said, gotta love teenagers.
Thanks again to all of the well wishers—- Patriciaholland, AmyAlexis, (who I’d love to hear from, it’s been a while my dear), and kakatlady612 (btw, please be as bossy as you’d like. Your advice and wisdom got me through the first few days.)
Looking forward to posting more success and still of course would love to hear how each of you are doing. Love my ESG family!💝💝💝

great progress hope4momof4! keep drinking the liquids. So happy for you that you are feeling better!

Thank you for the great tips by the way. I did sleep last night in a reclined position and I only needed to get up a few times for gas which, as you told me, went away as soon as I walked around a bit. The pain was manageable. I was told to take Librax for pain a very four hours but I have only taken one last night and one this morning. I’m doing okay considering. I hope tomorrow my energy will come back. Thanks again Tex.

Congrats hope4momof4 big step to the positive for your life! Glad to hear you are home and recovering. Major change for your body, take it easy thru the weekend and let it adjust. When the amount of gas goes down and you feel less groggy that's a good sign and you can think about increasing activity from there. A few days in the scheme of life is not a big deal. Lots of Water, chicken bouillon was key for me, I just kept going with the anti-nausea meds and tried to back down on the pain pills if I wasn't feeling strong pain (I didn't). Really want easy fluids for your stomach to settle down and get used to the new smaller you! Congrats again!
Tex

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

hope4momof4, I had the same challenge with the pre-op liquid diet. I was still feeling my pm cravings, for me the worst hours were from 4-8 pm, seemed like I couldn't stop munching. I just don't have this physical or mental desire now post ESG, the procedure really helped my hormones in addition to reducing my stomach volume. I only did the Sunday and Monday on liquid only diet and my procedure was Tues AM. No impact to my procedure, last 2 days are what count. All turned out fine.
Your anti-nausea meds are the same as what I took. Your in our thoughts and prayers, your doctor sounds great very reassuring. You're going to make a real difference in your life and the life of your family next week! We're with you all the way!
Tex

hope4momof4, I had the same challenge with the pre-op liquid diet. I was still feeling my pm cravings, for me the worst hours were from 4-8 pm, seemed like I couldn't stop munching. I just don't have this physical or mental desire now post ESG, the procedure really helped my hormones in addition to reducing my stomach volume. I only did the Sunday and Monday on liquid only diet and my procedure was Tues AM. No impact to my procedure, last 2 days are what count. All turned out fine.
Your anti-nausea meds are the same as what I took. Your in our thoughts and prayers, your doctor sounds great very reassuring. You're going to make a real difference in your life and the life of your family next week! We're with you all the way!
Tex

hope4momof4, I had the same challenge with the pre-op liquid diet. I was still feeling my pm cravings, for me the worst hours were from 4-8 pm, seemed like I couldn't stop munching. I just don't have this physical or mental desire now post ESG, the procedure really helped my hormones in addition to reducing my stomach volume. I only did the Sunday and Monday on liquid only diet and my procedure was Tues AM. No impact to my procedure, last 2 days are what count. All turned out fine.
Your anti-nausea meds are the same as what I took. Your in our thoughts and prayers, your doctor sounds great very reassuring. You're going to make a real difference in your life and the life of your family next week! We're with you all the way!
Tex

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

Hope4momof4, hey, no cold feet for you! You've got this and are 3 days away from beginning the phase of your life where you are in control of your weight and don't feel the "desire" to snack or "crave" for sweets. ESG and the right mindset have done this for me, down 36 pounds since November. I have 10 more pounds to go to reach my half-way target on weight loss. I have not been down to my current weight since my early 40's and I feel younger than this. Think going down in clothes one size and then they are still loose, sound good?
My procedure went smoothly, did not have a sore throat from the endoscope, did not have nausea afterwards (thanks to the meds provided, just take them and relax). I slept a lot the day of my procedure and was up and around the day after. You know the diet, you have prepared with foods and all the tips we can provide, there's nothing more for you to do than stay strong and keep the courage of your convictions, it will turn out fine.
Don't forget the positive impact you becoming more healthy will have on your family. My wife has lost 20 pounds as we try to live a more healthy lifestyle together now. One of our teen daughters has also lost 10 pounds since the holidays, parents are role models for their kids and our actions truly matter. Keep in touch, we'll keep you strong!
Tex

hi im from holland there is no forum about esg here so im so happy i found this ons my esg is on 23march so exsidit and feel youre consurn to i have 3 kids 2 .8. and 11 but i neef to do this for me i will keep on reading

I'm postop 1 day and Ibwas very nervous before but all these lovely bariatricpals helped me through! I have kids too. My dr said would you expect someone with a bad knee to not get knee surgery and just hobble around the rest of their life? No! They get the surgery. We are hobbling around in life and need help. My dr had the GS on himself! We can do this! No more hobbling in life!

Hello everyone. I’m scheduled for my ESG on February 6 which is only 6 short days away. I’m scared and I need some pep talks from our veteran ESGers. So many of you have been an inspiration to me, in particular Melesg, TexSlim, and AmyAlexis but I now find myself so terrified of this procedure. I’m afraid of the actual procedure, what if I don’t wake up? I have 4 children who are older 19, 18, 15, and 11 but they still need me. What if I have a horrible reaction and I have to hospitalized? What if I need several days to recover instead of just 3?
My biggest fear is what if I go through with it after months of wanting this procedure done and it doesn’t work?
Please help me get over this. Keep posting your experiences to reassure me that I’m doing the right thing. Don’t sugarcoat it either. Be honest and let me know what the heck I got myself into. I’m not backing out. I’ve waiting too long and saved up my own $ for this. I’m just scared of the unknown. Please help guys!😩😟

Sheila, hi I had the ESG procedure November of last year, just before Thanksgiving. I'm early 50's and yo-yo dieted for the last 15 years, gradually gaining 10-20 pounds per year since my mid 40's. I chose ESG because I wanted a permanent change (not the balloons) and felt more comfortable with the endoscope procedure (no incisions) than a vertical gastric sleeve. ESG procedure went very smoothly, I was not in pain, did not get nausea and was up and about within a day or two following procedure. After the long weekend I went back to work on Monday and there were no complications.
I'm looking to lose about 80 pounds. As of late January I'm down 34 pounds and since the ESG it has totally changed my appetite and desire for food. I eat much less, don't have cravings and have eliminated most sugar from my diet (no processed foods, sweets, alcohol, etc.). Check some of my earlier posts for more details on diet, etc.
Let me know if you have more questions, on this forum we're always glad to help and share our experiences!
Tex

Sheila, no problem, glad to help. I was in the same place last year and this forum was really helpful for me to hear the experience that ESGers had with their procedure and following weight loss. Same problem for me last 6 years after I turned 45, just couldn't keep from gaining weight no matter what diet/exercise I did.
I get the sweet tooth thing, it sounds strange now I'm sure, but I just don't have those feelings in my stomach or head to desire to eat the really killer sweets/deserts. A lot of talk about the reduction in stomach size and change in hormone production related to hunger, I'm not an expert as to why I feel this way. I'm totally different now, pre ESG, chocolates, ice cream, way to rich cakes, bread pudding, bring it on!! Now not at all. This lack of "hunger/desire" for food has made it so much easier to cut my intake of calories and not be Portion Control challenged.
Keep asking questions we're glad to help, you will make a huge difference in your quality of life with the ESG procedure.

I took Emend for nausea. $200 for one pill the morning of surgery, but it was more worth it than I can say. I had zero nausea. Absolutely none. No nausea, no vomiting.
My surgeon is weird.
We had to take a big dose of Tylenol the night before, and drink a huge amount of white grape juice the night before.
Before surgery, we got another medication patch for nausea behind our ear...and a shot to prevent clots. I think we got the anti-clot shots every 12 hours until we went home. And another medication for motion sickness that helps with abdominal surgery nausea.
We went home with Zofran (for nausea...I stopped taking it when I learned it was optional and I had no nausea) Omeprazole (antacid for healing...to be taken for 3 months after surgery) and Tylenol with Codeine in suspension for pain (took only one dose...the night I got home for a good night's sleep) I did take regular Tylenol for a couple of days.
I was taken off my Lisinopril and diuretic after surgery, and my bupropion.
I was told to monitor my blood pressure daily...and to call if it went over 160 on top or 90 on the bottom...it did neither. I haven't had either of these meds since and my BP today was 124/84. (and falling)
I was allowed to restart my bupropion at 6 weeks (it's time released)...but I opted against it for now. Have not missed it.
The only maintenance med I still take...is thyroid. I will take Omeprazole for a couple more months. And of course, vitamins:)

Great to hear Tex. I’m hoping my doctor sent me all of these meds as a precaution, just in case. So right now are you still taking any meds? What Vitamins are you taking if any? Thanks again Tex for the great advice you always give me. I’ve already prepared myself to sleep reclined the day of the procedure remembering that was a piece of advice you offered shortly after your procedure.
The countdown is on! (For my procedure lol not the super bowl!)

Thanks again Tex. Maybe I’ll just prop myself up at night in bed using a few extra pillows. I hope I also only need Vitamins postop. 🤞🏻🤞🏻