hope4momof4

I am so glad I found this app. Reading everyone’s input and positivity makes me even more motivated. Good luck to all on this journey !!
I am currently on the 3rd day of my 2 week pre-op shakes. It’s tough not gonna lie. It’s definitely a mind game my body is freaking out but each day gets better. I lost 5 lbs and I was told I have to lose 19lbs by April 2nd (the day before my surgery) on the last weigh in. I can’t wait to see results!! I am going on this journey with positivity and strength in knowing all of you have done this and I will be okay too.
Thank you for all your posts and support. This is just the beginning but I’ve been wanting this for so long, I am so excited!

You did it Patricia!!🎉🎉🎊🎊Now rest and recover. But please keep us updated. Congratulations!!

feel ok 10 hours later im sleepy will post in a few days

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You are awesome, thank so much

I had my ESG two and a 1/2 weeks ago and have only lost two kilos and 7 kilos from my pre op? Is this ok? How much have people lost in the early stages!!??? Pls and thankyou!

Good luck! It will be over fast and then you begin! Let us know how it goes! Excited for you!

hai my friends time is tikking 12 hours for me now!!! i will post when im a real ESG girl[emoji4] let yall know how it was[emoji109][emoji8][emoji8][emoji8]

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mel,
I am scheduled for ESG Wednesday in 1 week!!

Can't wait!!

ash

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

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

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....

Wow Patricia! If you’ve already lost 3.5 kgs. then you are definitely ready for this! Just as Melesg has posted, a lot of your success will depend on your state of mind. If you have the discipline pre ESG then once you’ve had the procedure it should only be easier to continue. I’m very excited for you. I will have you in my prayers. I just know you will do fine and I’m anxious to hear about your success soon. All my best and I wish you a speedy recovery!

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

hai everyone count down 3 days now i wanna scream [emoji23] lost 3.5 kilo with the pre stage ready for my ESG[emoji4]

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Sounds like you are on top of everything! Keep us posted on everything!

Good luck Ashleigh! I have a phone consultation scheduled for April 2 to get the ball rolling with Dr. Marvin and I can't wait to get started myself! I will be watching your progress and rooting for you.

AmyA,

Okay.. So grocery list is completed. I have got all my Vitamins, my Protein (read to drink) purchased, my creamed Soups (when I am allowed to drink them) and also protein Water and Vitamin water zero already ready at home. I have been prepping myself mentally and telling myself that I need this, i want this and I deserve this. I am super excited and happy that I have found you and this group. It's inspiring to ready everyone's comments and I am super thankful for the encouragement and love. I appreciate it so much and believe me.. I will make sure everyone is seeing my results...

Ash

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!!

Hello,

I am scheduled for ESG 03/28/2018.. I am so excited.

hey everyone.. I am getting ESG 03/28/2018 everyone's stories are great reads.. Anyone have Dr. Sharaiha? How are feeling or were feeling post opp and any regrets doing the surgery?

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

Just curious if anyone has any information going into ESG and what advice you would give me?

Hope4momof4, that's a really good catch on the snack calories! When I stalled the first time I was eating too many nuts in the evening before dinner. Back to drinking more Water and/or Crystal light when I did this I wasn't "hungry" before dinner. Don't get frustrated, we're all still learning how to live a new healthy life. It's totally normal to have a couple of potholes on the road. Finding them and fixing them is the key.
Maybe also check some other metrics like blood pressure, clothing size and blood work if you get some done. I saw major benefits in blood pressure (down ±20), down 4" inches in waist size and much lower total cholesterol and triglycerides. There are many other signs than weight that you are living so much more healthy. As you keep exercising you will grow muscle mass which add pounds (and adds metabolic activity !) so weight is not the whole story. Stay positive you are off to a great start! Have a great weekend!
Tex

Hey Hope4momof4 you might not be doing anything wrong. Everyone is different and sometimes comparing ourselves to others is a very big mistake. I was told weight loss with this procedure was slower and lasted longer. I did not lose weight fast but just kept plodding along. Also I was heavier to begin with so it might have come off faster. Hang in there judging this at 4 weeks might be rather premature. I also was self pay so I understand how that plays in ones mind.Hang in there, give it time and and this will work for you. Congratulations on your dedication to exercise!